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Electric Rivilution

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Just in...

https://www.reuters.com/business/au...orkforce-second-job-cut-this-year-2024-04-17/

SAN FRANCISCO, April 17 (Reuters) - Electric vehicle maker Rivian (RIVN.O), said on Wednesday it cut about 1% of its workforce - the second round of job cuts this year - as it reduces cost amid a broader slowdown in EV demand.

Shares of Rivian, up as much as 3.4% during the day, pared almost all of its gains after the news.

"This was a difficult decision, but a necessary one to support our goal to be gross margin positive by the end of the year," the maker of R1S SUVs and R1T pickup trucks said in an email to Reuters, adding that the cuts were focused on staff supporting the business.

The move follows a 10% layoff at Rivian in February when the company disappointed investors with a lower-than-expected 2024 production forecast.

Reducing cost is crucial for Rivian as high interest rates to rein in inflation have hurt consumer demand for EVs that are typically more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts.

Rivian has been reducing costs by building some parts in house and re-negotiating supply contracts. It has also shut down its production line for an upgrade to increase efficiency and help reduce cost.

The company last month introduced its smaller, less expensive R2 SUVs and said it would start producing them at its existing U.S. factory instead of a planned new plant, to hasten deliveries in the first half of 2026 and save the company more than $2 billion.
But shares of Rivian hit a record low on Tuesday amid intensifying concerns around the souring consumer EV sentiment. Companies that bet billions of dollars on an all-electric future are now cutting prices to stoke demand and reducing costs to limit cash burn.

Market leader Tesla is laying off more than 10% of its global workforce, an internal memo seen by Reuters on Monday showed. Ford cut prices of some variants of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck by as much as $5,500, the Detroit automaker said last week.
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Mark_AZR1T

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I would imagine demand simply isn't there for a path to profitability in Q4 at current pricing levels.....GM and Ford will continue with price cuts, because they can......it's going to be a bumpy ride to R2.....I don't like to see anyone lose their employment, but in a publically traded company, it is what it is (sigh).

Hoping the 'refresh' generates demand.....YMMV
 

Dark-Fx

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Sounds like it was mostly in recruiting. With how much talent there is that needs jobs right now, seems like the recruiters probably just didn't have enough work to do.
 

jjswan33

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Looks like a lot of guides were cut.....
As much as people bitch about them maybe that is a good move.. been saying it for two years but the Rivian Guide program was never going to scale.
 

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UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan

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As much as people bitch about them maybe that is a good move.. been saying it for two years but the Rivian Guide program was never going to scale.
You know what's coming. The two-letter dirty word: A.I.. Chatbot general online chat and A.I. assisted guides. Not all guide contacts and chat requests are absolutely essential or time sensitive. A good chunk of requests for hand-holding are likely things people can find online on their own, or read the owner guides, if they tried.

And if Rivian didn't hide so much leasing info until you paid the 1k reservation, then maybe people wouldn't be so pressed for guide contact.
 
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RayzorBEV

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My Guide has been gone for about a month now...:confused: Been communicating directly with customer support instead...
 

mini2nut

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Not surprising. The early days of daily company luncheons and free spending is long gone. Rivian needs to tighten its belt as far as it will go.
 

Ralph

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As much as people bitch about them maybe that is a good move.. been saying it for two years but the Rivian Guide program was never going to scale.
I agree it is likely a necessary move. Less demand = less guides needed. An example of scaling, although clearly not the point you intended to make. o_O
 

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AllInev

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Can someone here please remind me to never start a car company?
However, if I do end up starting a car company, I hope you're all willing to give me advice ;-)
 

Rividiculous

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I never like to see people lose jobs but if this gets Rivian to Q4 gross profit, that will mean a lot more jobs at Rivian in the future.

But oh god, please, no AI chatbots!
 

bdwalters

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I never like to see people lose jobs but if this gets Rivian to Q4 gross profit, that will mean a lot more jobs at Rivian in the future.

But oh god, please, no AI chatbots!
Nearly all customer service will be done by AIs in the next 5 years.
 

CharonPDX

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If they think that 1% cut is what they need to hit "gross margin positive by the end of the year" I consider that damned impressive.

Nearly all customer service will be done by AIs in the next 5 years.
🤮

No.

Just no.
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