Rivian to open $ 4.6 million service support center as it prepares for first vehicle sales – TechCrunch


Rivian, the electric vehicle startup gearing up for an IPO, continues its rapid growth trend. The company will open a vehicle owner assistance facility in Plymouth, Mich., And just in time, as deliveries of the launch edition of the R1T pickup are expected to begin at the end of the month.

The facility will create 100 new jobs and represent an investment of $ 4.6 million, of which $ 750,000 comes from a state business development grant. Funds such as the Michigan Business Development Program are used to attract business and encourage job creation and investment in the state. This isn’t the first time Rivian has invested in Michigan – while the company’s plant is in Normal, Ill. (With a second coming), its head office is in Plymouth. Rivian also opened an R&D center in Dearborn in 2015 for a capital investment of $ 29.5 million.

The new center will be an extension of Rivian’s current headquarters, a company spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch. Through the new center, the electric automaker “plans to support all Rivian owners” by providing “round-the-clock assistance by the Rivian roadside assistance and service team to North American Rivian owners with questions on vehicles, roadside demands and service planning needs “. according to a press release.

The Michigan governor’s office describes the new jobs as well-paying and says they come with perks like tuition reimbursement and childcare assistance.

Like rival Tesla, Rivian operates under a direct sales model that allows customers to order vehicles from him directly online. Today, only 22 states allow OEMs to sell direct to customers – in those states, Rivian can set up showrooms and offer road tests – but there is no prohibition on a customer ordering. directly online.

Rivian also plans to keep its services and support in-house. According to the company’s website, Rivian plans to provide 24/7 support through its service team, which will offer troubleshooting, diagnostics, appointment assistance and roadside assistance.

As recently as last week, Rivian confirmed to TechCrunch that he had received the necessary certifications from three separate agencies, giving him the green light to sell and deliver the R1T and R1S SUVs in all 50 states.