Essentially, their cars are too expensive and customers too rich.
Among Rivian’s valid points is that all of its production is based in the US.
Rivian’s position is understandable. They are slowly but surely getting on their feet and because production is still in its infancy, costs to the automaker are high. This results in higher sales prices which will make the current R1T and R1S ineligible for the incentives.
Other automakers have had time to amortize production costs which means their customers will have access to a $7,500 federal tax credit as the maximum proposed purchase price will be set at $80,000. As well, the purchaser’s income can be no more than $150,000 a year, twice that for a couple.
As a result, “nearly all of our vehicles would be ineligible for incentives,” James Chen, vice president of public policy for Rivian, said. As we know, the company is not even planning to offer a lower-priced model until 2025, as reported by Automotive News.
What’s especially frustrating for Rivian is that all its production and design facilities are based in the US. Their assembly plant in downstate Normal, Ill. employs roughly 6,000 workers and they will soon be expanding in Georgia on top of their offices in California.
Rivian’s been in contact with Senate leadership and senators from states in which it has interests (Illinois, Michigan, California, and Georgia) to try and get the pending bill amended for startup companies such as theirs. They would like to save the old rules during a transition period.
