I Visited Rivian and Tesla Showrooms in NYC. the Vibes Had been Reverse.

Rivian is renovating its Meatpacking District area, so I toured the showroom on 366 Wythe Ave in Brooklyn. It is an open area with a storage door entrance and entrance door.

Rivian had a Tri-Motor R1S SUV and a Tri-Motor R1T truck at its Brooklyn retailer.

It is an eco-friendly alternative — but additionally an costly one.

The workers had been pleasant and laid-back. The showroom did not have a standard workplace area for workers, simply informal seating and a few longer desks.

There have been white shade lamps hanging down from the ceiling, giant leafy crops positioned all through the shop, and plenty of funky patterns, like stripes and checkers in numerous colours.

There gave the impression to be no scarcity of lounge seating.

Subsequent to it was a neon inexperienced circle cushion and two padded chairs with picket aspect tables. The world was giant and included orange, pink, blue, and inexperienced accents.

A station with blocks and toys was on the desk in entrance of the sofa. The shop additionally confirmed off equipment like a tenting bag tucked within the automobile.

The spokesperson stated that individuals usually are available wanting to purchase a Rivian or to study extra about EVs. They typically have questions on charging, she stated.

A Rivian spokesperson stated that the corporate makes an effort to be part of the local people. In March, it hosted an occasion with Roseate and the Billion Oyster Mission that included a panel dialog, networking, and take a look at drives of its automobiles.

This Sunday, it is internet hosting a Mom’s Day flower crown-making occasion. A Rosie Day, a neighborhood kids’s programmer, is coming to the area to show attendees learn how to create flower crowns, the spokesperson stated.

Rivian featured a desk with ANYBAG baggage. Based on its web site, the model repurposes single-use plastic baggage and handcrafts them in Manhattan by New Yorkers.

I had the choice of driving or being pushed. I selected to be pushed. The expertise was very tech-forward and clean. The digital display screen has a cartoon-like illustration of the car.

I spent about an hour on the retailer, and there weren’t too many guests. The spokesperson informed me that the shop will get most of its visitors on the weekends, however there are nonetheless walk-ins and demo drive sign-ups in the course of the week.

The showroom was positioned at 860 Washington Avenue within the coronary heart of the Meatpacking District.

After I arrived, an worker was cleansing the home windows on the entrance. All through my time on the showroom, the cleansing workers was dusting off counters and partitions.

On a Thursday afternoon, Tesla had a handful of holiday makers come out and in of the showroom.

A gross sales worker on the retailer informed me that on the weekends, they do about 200 take a look at rides in a day, and most of them are with the Cybertruck.

The shop largely featured a monochromatic palette of Black, white, silver, and grey. There was an occasional tint of pink or blue from the posters on the wall, the Tesla emblem within the entrance, or the automobile lights.

There have been some seating choices at Tesla’s showroom, however the structure primarily offered standing area.

There would not appear to be a scarcity of kids excited in regards to the Cybertruck. Nevertheless, the area did not really feel as set as much as cater to households with kids in the way in which Rivian gave the impression to be.

Much like Rivian, Tesla displayed an EV charger on the wall.

The Tesla wall artwork was extra minimalistic than Rivian, and gave the impression to be extra aesthetically pushed than academic.

As an alternative of together with explanatory graphics and textual content about EV charging, Tesla had photographs of its core merchandise and lightweight descriptions with extra of an commercial really feel.

Regardless of latest backlash surrounding the Cybertruck, it gave the impression to be the showroom’s essential attraction and was positioned on the entrance of the doorway. Most of the guests who got here to the showroom gave the impression to be there for the Cybertruck.

Tesla had key items of its autonomous driving tech on show. The Full Self-Driving laptop and Autopilot Cameras had been featured in a transparent glass field subsequent to the window, making it really feel like a museum.

Tesla additionally had a humanoid robotic going through the window within the heart of the area. The corporate is not promoting the robots, that are nonetheless in improvement.

Whereas the workers had been pleasant, they gave me area to stroll round by myself and did not ask me any questions on my plans for buying a car.

I declined a beverage, however it made the expertise really feel extra luxurious.

The gross sales worker confirmed me how the digital display screen labored after which took me on the drive. He began the drive off by exhibiting off Tesla’s Full Self-Driving expertise, which prices further and is presently in beta. The automobile drove to the Shake Shack a couple of minutes away.

Then, the worker confirmed me how briskly the Cybertruck may speed up. Relying on the mannequin, Tesla says it may possibly speed up from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.6 to six.2 seconds. Nevertheless, due to the world we had been in, we could not speed up on the most fee.

Nonetheless, it was the quickest I’ve ever accelerated in a car.

Whereas Rivian offered outdoorsy clothes and reusable baggage from native distributors, Tesla’s merchandise part was in regards to the Tesla model. It featured hats with logos, key playing cards and fobs, and collectible mini objects just like the Cybertruck.

One of many staff informed me that foot visitors to the shop hadn’t actually modified. I requested the worker about one of many latest protests on the retailer on Earth Day, and he stated a really small variety of individuals confirmed up. He stated protesters often take their photos and depart, and it isn’t as loopy because it might sound on-line.

Wanting again at each of my experiences, Rivian appeared to focus on a extra down-to-earth, environmentally pleasant crowd. The model emphasised out of doors adventures and knowledgeable prospects about EV possession.

Tesla, alternatively, got here throughout as a model that did not want a lot introduction or explaining. Its showroom felt extra like an area for individuals who know the title and needed to expertise the tech in particular person, maybe to get a more in-depth take a look at the Cybertruck’s angular design. Whereas I do not really feel like I would like all of the cutting-edge tech that Tesla provides — and I am not available in the market for a brand new automobile — it was cool to see in particular person and check out.

I favored the design components of each showrooms. Rivian’s boho vibe was stress-free, whereas Tesla’s product lineup was spectacular.

I did not stroll away with a favourite, however I can see how EV customers would possibly establish with one model greater than the opposite. In spite of everything, they’re every taking very totally different approaches.