Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe on ramping up R1T production and competing with the Cybertruck

We’ve got another interview from the Code Conference today. My friend and co-host, CNBC’s Julia Boorstin, and I had a chance to talk with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe. Rivian is a newer company — RJ started it in 2009, and it took more than 10 years to start shipping cars to consumers. But its first vehicle, the R1T pickup, made a big splash when it arrived in 2021, and the company has more back orders for both the R1T and its second vehicle, the R1S SUV, than it can handle. For now.

We asked RJ about that production ramp and whether Rivian can meet demand, and whether it’s just early adopters buying EVs or if they’ve finally gone mainstream. The conversation also touched on Rivian’s deal with Amazon and the auto industry’s push toward subscription features. And, of course, I had to ask Scaringe about the Cybertruck. How could I resist?!

Links: 

• BMW starts selling heated seat subscriptions for $18 a month
• BMW drops plan to charge a monthly fee for heated seats
• U.A.W. expands strikes at automakers: Here’s what to know.
• Rivian boosts EV production target as supply problems ease
• Ford F-150 Lightning gets $10K price cut as ramping supply meets demand
• First look at Cybertruck’s comically large windshield wiper in action
• Amazon says it has ‘over a thousand’ Rivian electric vans making deliveries in the US
• Rivian to adopt Tesla's charging standard in EVs and chargers
• Rivian electric pickup caught fire while charging at Electrify America station

Transcript: https://www.theverge.com/e/23672708

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Today’s episode was produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and was edited by Callie Wright.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our Editorial Director is Brooke Minters and our Executive Producer is Eleanor Donovan.

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