Summary
- Rivian Rewards is a new referral program that gives buyers and referrers free charging and points for Rivian products
- Buyers using an owner’s unique code can earn free charging at Rivian stations and credit to spend in Rivian’s store
- Customers can accumulate points to get a new Rivian vehicle for free
- The program is similar to Tesla’s referral program, with rewards for both buyers and existing owners
- Rivian plans to expand the program over time, sparking potential sales growth for the company amid a flat year of production goals
Article
The Rivian Rewards program was launched on August 29, 2024, at 4:00pm ET. This program rewards owners for referring friends to buy Rivians. Both the referrer and the buyer can earn free charging at Rivian stations and points to spend in Rivian’s store. These points can be accumulated to eventually get a new Rivian for free, with the caveat that the purchased vehicle must be from Rivian’s inventory, not a custom order.
The freebies awarded after a qualifying purchase through the referral program include 750 points that can be redeemed in the Gear Shop or R1 Shop. Each point equals one dollar in credit. Additionally, buyers can get 6 months of charging at Rivian Adventure Network sites, with a lifetime limit of three years. These points can go towards purchasing various Rivian products such as the Travel Kitchen or an at-home charger. It is possible to use these points to buy an entire Rivian as long as it’s from Rivian’s inventory.
Rivian states that the program will expand over time, with the 750-point reward applying to vehicle deliveries made through the end of the year. The program is seen as a way to boost sales in a potentially flat year for the automaker. Rivian is still working towards profitability and aims to produce 57,000 vehicles in 2024. Sales are expected to increase once their more affordable, mass-market vehicle, the R2, is launched in 2026. Rivian seems to be following in Tesla’s footsteps by leveraging a dedicated fanbase for word-of-mouth marketing.
The referral program is an attempt by Rivian to replicate Tesla’s successful approach, as Tesla has also had a referral program in the past. With increased competition in the EV market, Rivian hopes to tap into its loyal fanbase to drive sales and earn rewards. This strategy aligns with Tesla’s recent decision to revive its referral program amidst a challenging sales year. By incentivizing current owners to refer new buyers, Rivian aims to boost its sales and build on its existing community of supporters.
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