Rivian Considering Relocating Engineering Teams to Streamline Production Efforts

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

All good things come to an end eventually. For many Rivian employees, their remote office locations could soon be rolled into the company’s main office in a significant reorganization effort. Automotive News reported that the automaker seeks to streamline its engineering and production operations, which could require many employees to relocate to one of its locations.


The move is expected to become public soon and could mean a move to Illinois or Irvine, CA, for many engineering employees. A company spokesperson told Reuters, "in terms of ramping production, it’s helpful to have the manufacturing and engineering teams closer to our facilities in Normal (Illinois) as well as our headquarters in Irvine.” The company recently released its second vehicle, the R1S SUV, and both it and the R1T pickup have extended wait times for new orders. 


Rivian loses money on every vehicle it builds and has struggled with supply chain issues. Though it only barely missed its 25,000-unit target for 2022, the company’s stock price has taken a beating in recent months due to rising interest rates and waning interest in expensive electric vehicles. 


All of this comes as story after story surfaces with tales of bricked vehicles and poor maintenance experiences. Since the automaker doesn’t own physical dealerships, some owners have to pay through the nose to tow their cars hundreds of miles to the nearest service center.


[Image: Rivian]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Mar 27, 2023

    Towing is not the solution. They have to come up with something better. Like shared dealerships or independent mechanics trained to fix their cars locally.

  • 95_SC 95_SC on Mar 27, 2023

    Rivian…WHAT A DISGRACE!!!

  • IBx1 IBx1 on Mar 28, 2023

    Telling employees to relocate when housing prices are hyperinflated and interest rates are kissing double-digits, right before the next great depression deletes all that "value" they'd have to buy?

  • Kerry Yonker Kerry Yonker on Apr 04, 2023

    Love sevendies two valiant sedan brome great your friend yes.

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