Rivian (RIVN) is dropping a shift at its Normal EV plant due to efficiency upgrades
Rivian (RIVN) is dropping a shift at its Normal, Illinois, EV manufacturing plant next month, but not because of a lack of demand. The EV maker said it could hit its 2024 production goal with one less shift due to efficiency upgrades at the facility.
Rivian plant to lose a shift with efficient EV production
“With our continued improvements in efficiency, we can meet that (57,000) goal on two shifts,” a Rivian spokesperson told WLGT Tuesday.
About 8,000 people work at Rivian’s manufacturing plant, the majority of them hourly employees. The spokesperson clarified, “All hourly employees will be offered a job on one of the two available shifts as we will increase capacity per shift.”
Rivian is reducing its three-shift schedule to two starting April 28. Although it’s unclear if the workers’ hours will change, they will still be considered full-time.
The spokesperson said Rivian “gave hourly employees the opportunity to provide feedback regarding shift patterns and to submit their own shift preference.” Rivian is “assigning shifts based on tenure, preference and operational needs.”
Rivian’s shift change is not out of the ordinary. Automakers often move around shifts to improve efficiency.
The third shift was added in June 2023, after Rivian added a second shift in Fall 2022. The change will be implemented following the scheduled plant shutdown in April.
Rivian will introduce its highly-anticipated R2 electric SUV on Thursday, March 7. Leaked info through the company’s website shows the R2 will start at $47,000 with up to 330 miles range. Rivian’s R2 will also launch in Europe.
Electrek’s Take
As Rivian announced in November, the planned shutdown will allow for new engineering and supplier changes to lower costs. Rivian expects the upgrades will “meaningfully reduce” material costs as it exits 2024.
With the upgrades, Rivian expects a “modest growth profit” in Q4 2024. Due to the scheduled shutdown, the EV maker expects to build around 57,000 vehicles at the plant in 2024, about the same as last year.
Rivian has already accomplished a ton, with its R1S electric SUV becoming the best-selling electric SUV priced over $70,000 in the US last year.
Rivian was the fifth best-selling EV maker in the US last year. After establishing itself as a true luxury EV brand, Rivian’s more affordable R2 will help it reach new markets.
Source: WGLT
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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