Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
Rivian needs Tesla and other electric vehicle makers to succeed as broader competition is crucial for expanding consumer choices in the EV market, particularly for models priced under $50,000, CEO RJ Scaringe said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, Rivian’s chief executive said that “there just aren’t that many great electric options” for consumers looking for an electric vehicle below $50,000.
“When we look at Tesla and other manufacturers, I think it’s incredibly important that we have [a] choice. We need Tesla to be successful, we need other manufacturers to be successful,” Scaringe said.
Rivian’s chief added, “If you’re a consumer thinking about buying a car and you want to spend less than $50,000, there just aren’t that many great electric options.”
Commenting on the brand’s focus on outdoor enthusiasts, Scaringe said he was “sort of fortunate” to attract that audience adding, “I love the outdoors, active sports, and things like that.”
“But there’s also a strategy—if we can build a product that enables and inspires people to be outdoors, it’s going to help them become active participants in sustainability,” Scaringe defended.
As reported earlier this Thursday, the giant retailer Costco has begun listing Rivian vehicles in its Auto Program.
While Costco does not enable direct orders through its platform, customers can submit an inquiry form to be contacted by an approved dealer for inventory details and pricing discussions.
Rivian sold 4,100 vehicles in the U.S. last month, according to Motor Intelligence data, up 34% from January but down 21% from a year earlier. The company forecasts 2024 deliveries between 46,000 and 51,000 units, falling short of most Wall Street estimates.
