Photo: Rivian / Rebelle Rally / autoevolution edit
This year isn't done yet, but Rivian still has a couple of surprises left in store for customers, prospective owners, investors, and fans. The company has been incredibly active lately on all fronts, and one of its latest successes is winning the women-only Rebelle Rally – America's longest off-road competition where no use of modern navigation equipment is permitted. Here's the gist of it.
Some detractors used to bash Rivian for not "fixing the stock price," but they did so while ignoring the company's massive progress this year.
The young brand fixed its delivery estimates, polished the software, improved the way it communicates online and offline, ramped up production, introduced the in-house developed drive units (aka Enduro motors), streamlined manufacturing, added a new battery option (as promised!), opened new service centers, started exports over the pond, announced that it would adopt the NACS, expanded its Level 2 and Level 3 charging network, pushed forward with the Georgia plant, and opened new stores where prospective buyers can experience the R1T and the R1S.
There's zero reason to distrust Rivian's thirst for success. The Irvine-based EV maker with a factory in Normal, Illinois, is doing everything possible to reach profitability – something expected to happen next year.
But if you need another reason to consider Rivian a great all-American automotive entity with impressive potential, the brand just won the Rebelle Rally. It's not a tough competition like Dakar, but it is a 1,600-mile eight-day race where women cannot use any modern navigation equipment.
Moreover, organizers don't allow participants to join with all-electric vehicles. But carmakers can participate if they take care of logistics.
At this year's edition, Rivian joined in on the fun with four teams: three comprising trained employees and one representing an R1T customer. The company's efforts paid out because Rivian's pickup truck is the first EV to win in the 4x4 category – "Limestone Legends" made sure the zero-emission pickup truck got over the finish line ahead of the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, Bronco Raptor, and 4Runner teams.
Rivian also used Rebelle Rally to quietly debut a new infotainment interface, reaching all customers who have downloaded the latest software build. It contains a lot more information than before.
Lilly Macaruso as the driver and Alex Anderson as the navigator secured the win. Both work at Rivian. The pair also participated in last year's Rebelle Rally when they finished fourth overall. They used a "bone stock" R1T to achieve this premiere.
Lastly, the company is taking important steps in the right direction, and this win should help cement its "adventurous" reputation.
The young brand fixed its delivery estimates, polished the software, improved the way it communicates online and offline, ramped up production, introduced the in-house developed drive units (aka Enduro motors), streamlined manufacturing, added a new battery option (as promised!), opened new service centers, started exports over the pond, announced that it would adopt the NACS, expanded its Level 2 and Level 3 charging network, pushed forward with the Georgia plant, and opened new stores where prospective buyers can experience the R1T and the R1S.
There's zero reason to distrust Rivian's thirst for success. The Irvine-based EV maker with a factory in Normal, Illinois, is doing everything possible to reach profitability – something expected to happen next year.
But if you need another reason to consider Rivian a great all-American automotive entity with impressive potential, the brand just won the Rebelle Rally. It's not a tough competition like Dakar, but it is a 1,600-mile eight-day race where women cannot use any modern navigation equipment.
Moreover, organizers don't allow participants to join with all-electric vehicles. But carmakers can participate if they take care of logistics.
At this year's edition, Rivian joined in on the fun with four teams: three comprising trained employees and one representing an R1T customer. The company's efforts paid out because Rivian's pickup truck is the first EV to win in the 4x4 category – "Limestone Legends" made sure the zero-emission pickup truck got over the finish line ahead of the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, Bronco Raptor, and 4Runner teams.
Rivian also used Rebelle Rally to quietly debut a new infotainment interface, reaching all customers who have downloaded the latest software build. It contains a lot more information than before.
Lilly Macaruso as the driver and Alex Anderson as the navigator secured the win. Both work at Rivian. The pair also participated in last year's Rebelle Rally when they finished fourth overall. They used a "bone stock" R1T to achieve this premiere.
Lastly, the company is taking important steps in the right direction, and this win should help cement its "adventurous" reputation.
Congratulations to Rivian’s #187 Limestone Legends on their 1st place finish at @rebellerally! ????
— Rivian (@Rivian) October 21, 2023
The driver and navigator duo and their third teammate, the 2023 R1T, are the first team in a fully electric vehicle to win Rebelle. pic.twitter.com/HM4wnAQql2
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