Insurance companies won't like this, but you need to be aware of what's happening. Your pricey EV could become a target, but not in the way that you think. Nefarious actors want to make a quick buck as easy as possible, which means they will take away from you anything they can. Yes, that includes even the portable camp speaker.
Rivian launched the R1T and the R1S to sell them at a profit (duh!) and give customers new ways to confidently tackle almost any terrain without leaving any nasty traces in the air. After all, the young EV maker's slogan is "keep the world adventurous forever."
Knowing that many Americans like to turn their rides into temporary bedrooms on wheels, enjoy tailgating, and are enamored with having a good time away from the city, the marque thought that a portable Bluetooth speaker, which fits and recharges in a dedicated spot in the center console, would be a great addition to the R1S and R1T.
Other brands would have simply put a drawer there. That's (one of the many reasons) why Rivian is enjoying a great reputation with owners and prospective buyers.
Besides that, the Irvine-based brand with a factory in Normal, Illinois, also introduced an auto-leveling feature for its cool suspension setup that has 6.5 inches of vertical travel. This automaker really wanted to give owners every reason to drive to their favorite camping spot and just chill without worrying about exhaust fumes or noise.
Somewhat unfortunately, Rivian also thought about aerodynamic efficiency and chose to install flush door handles that stick out at an angle when the EV is unlocked.
That's a good way of reminding the owner that their vehicle isn't locked, but it's also a sign for nefarious actors. It can make your ride an easy target because they don't even have to peek through the windows to see what's inside. They'll quickly open the door, snatch whatever is inside, and run away with your stuff.
Even though in Canada, some officers recommended that car owners leave their car keys at the front door for thieves to avoid potentially dangerous interactions with people who don't care about the law, in the US things are a tad bit different. Car owners really like holding onto their property, and most will fight back thieves.
Photo: security_ai on Reddit
But as the video below shows, it takes only 20 seconds to get inside and steal the Rivian camp speaker. You won't even have time to figure out what happened. Thieves move fast in San Francisco.
That may seem like something a teenager would do because they were challenged to annoy someone. However, these speakers are valuable. They are sold on platforms like eBay for hundreds of dollars.
That's because the neat, in-house-developed accessory is more than just a Bluetooth speaker with impressive bass. It also serves as a lamp with RGB lighting and a portable battery. We used the term "lamp" because the light it emits isn't very powerful. It's more of an ambient function than a really useful one. But on a starry night, that can come in clutch.
Fret not—all R1T and R1S EVs come with a flashlight neatly tucked away in the driver-side door.
So, if you have a Rivian or intend to buy one before the R2, R3, and R3X arrive, make sure to keep your EV locked even when charging at home. You never know who might be driving in your friendly neighborhood.
Finally, Rivian doesn't currently sell the portable speaker separately. You might have to wait a bit to get a replacement, which could cost a couple hundred dollars.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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