R1T Truck

Make
Rivian
Segment
Sports Car

In the massively competitive EV market, simply selling good cars is clearly not enough to set you apart from the competition any longer. Not only do customers expect a good product, they want a lifestyle element to go along with the fact that they're doing their part to save the planet. One company that seems to be getting it right is Rivian, which recently started manufacturing its flagship R1T truck. The company has already pleased the green community by investing in charging grids across national parks, and has now launched its first retail hub in Venice, CA, which promises "a place to come together, to attend a workshop, to relax in the garden, and to share ideas".

The EV upstart is making some big moves, and after having beaten Telsa, its fiercest rival, in the EV truck race, the California-based company has made strong headway into expanding its pre-delivery service centers. But the new retail hubs promise to be more focused around building a community of like-minded people who share the same ideals and lifestyle as Rivian promotes. While it sounds a bit like a corporate cult, Rivian hopes to change the traditional path to purchase.

"Even in the very earliest days of Rivian, we imagined places where people could gather and get to know one another and share experiences in person. Because purchasing a Rivian can be done digitally, we were untethered from the traditional car-buying experience, and free to define what we wanted a Rivian space to be," Rivian explains on its website.

The first hub, located in Venice, California, is based in an iconic building that has been used as a workshop and art gallery, and features an open play area for kids, a chill lounge and an outside area complete with picnic tables. Sure, Rivian will use the new hub for product education, and ultimately as a selling platform, but also plans to offer truly useful workshops focused on sustainable living, and mentions talks on how to start an organic garden, sustainable energy and permaculture.

Rivian doesn't plan on stopping at urban hubs: the company has also mentioned the establishment of Rivian outposts outside of metropolitan areas focused on outdoor living and adventure, which ties in perfectly with its rugged product offering. The Venice hub will open its doors on October 17 and is located at 660 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA.