Off Road Performance

[Chavannigans]

I see the need for a lot of real-world testing to build consumer confidence, create awareness, build sales & marketing assets and to enable early adoption / conversion of reservations (some without actual test drives). With a limited run of vehicles, training and hiring of personnel on the business side and no real physical locations in market, it will be a craw / walk / run approach for sure.

Rivian would be a good parallel example to draw from... They basically used the skeleton of the old Mitsubishi plant in Normal to jump start construction on the plant, but had to completely re-tool, add other buildings, and ramp to any meaningful production capacity over the first year, as noted. This is also a smart approach for Scout. So while Scout may start taking orders, we will likely see the first privately-owned (non-employee) trucks on the road in 2028 in any meaningful numbers (if I was a betting man).

I agree with what youre saying, but I will still be pretty irritated if a bunch of bloggers have them months before I do.

 

[R1TVT]

I agree with what youre saying, but I will still be pretty irritated if a bunch of bloggers have them months before I do.

I never said a bunch of bloggers (to be clear). I'm guessing there will be some very important people at Scout that have them way before the first reservation holders have them - but for good reason. They need to control the release carefully and makes sure that whoever does get them first, has a super positive experience... Ironing out kinks with parts, ride quality, SW bugs, specs, etc. - super critical to success of course.

 

[Chavannigans]

I never said a bunch of bloggers (to be clear). I'm guessing there will be some very important people at Scout that have them way before the first reservation holders have them - but for good reason. They need to control the release carefully and makes sure that whoever does get them first, has a super positive experience... Ironing out kinks with parts, ride quality, SW bugs, specs, etc. - super critical to success of course.

Yeah, but bloggers are the ones who get them first, test them, and write articles and post videos about them. Thats how you spread awareness and drive up adoption for newly launched products.

The first thing most consumers do these days is watch Youtube reviews on products they are considering or read articles about them.

So while you didnt directly say the word "bloggers" they are obviously a part of the conversation.

 

[cyure]

I agree with what youre saying, but I will still be pretty irritated if a bunch of bloggers have them months before I do.

I know I agree, but they have to. They need to get in front of as many eyes as possible to be successful.

 

[R1TVT]

Yeah, but bloggers are the ones who get them first, test them, and write articles and post videos about them. Thats how you spread awareness and drive up adoption for newly launched products.

The first thing most consumers do these days is watch Youtube reviews on products they are considering or read articles about them.

So while you didnt directly say the word "bloggers" they are obviously a part of the conversation.

True, some like TFL or Out of Spec may get them to test them, but keep in mind that they may also have actually ordered them ahead of a bunch of people here on this site. I take all the bloggers reviews with a grain of salt, but they were not far off in their "opinions" and reviews about CT, Lightening, Rivian etc... The only one I really pay close attention to out there is Edmunds (in terms of the publications).

 

[cyure]

True, some like TFL or Out of Spec may get them to test them, but keep in mind that they may also have actually ordered them ahead of a bunch of people here on this site. I take all the bloggers reviews with a grain of salt, but they were not far off in their "opinions" and reviews about CT, Lightening, Rivian etc... The only one I really pay close attention to out there is Edmunds (in terms of the publications).

Can I ask, when you got your Rivian did you order it sight unseen so to speak just from pictures? Had you seen them in person? Were you one of the first ones on the block to get it or did you wait a bit?

 

[R1TVT]

You could really only pre-order sight unseen, which I did. I was an early delivery and low VIN. My buddy had also ordered one (but after me), and for some reason his was ready for delivery prior to mine (by a few weeks), so I ended up going to his delivery PRIOR to my own delivery. I went for his initial test ride from his house upon delivery with the Rivian crew and it was WILD. Just made me more excited for my delivery shortly thereafter. My truck was driven to my house for delivery, and they drove off in my old Silverado (which I traded-in). The experience was flawless and the best new purchase of any vehicle I have ever had!

 

[cyure]

You could really only pre-order sight unseen, which I did. I was an early delivery and low VIN. My buddy had also ordered one (but after me), and for some reason his was ready for delivery prior to mine (by a few weeks), so I ended up going to his delivery PRIOR to my own delivery. I went for his initial test ride from his house upon delivery with the Rivian crew and it was WILD. Just made me more excited for my delivery shortly thereafter. My truck was driven to my house for delivery, and they drove off in my old Silverado (which I traded-in). The experience was flawless and the best new purchase of any vehicle I have ever had!

I have been really curious how that all worked. Thanks for that.