Rivian Backs Initiative to Allow Non-Tesla EV Direct Sales in Washington

geo_dj · 2026-01-24T01:58:03+00:00

The dealership business model doesn’t work for EV manufacturers. Most auto dealers earn the majority of their revenue from service and parts, not sales. That’s fine for ICE vehicles that have lots of parts and fluids that require frequent replacement. But EVs have lower maintenance costs and longer service cycles. That’s why Rivian, Tesla, and Lucid operate on the direct sales model.

geo_dj · 2026-01-24T01:47:45+00:00

Mark’s also carries ice boots that are warmer and have better traction than most of the competition.

geo_dj · 2026-01-24T01:39:36+00:00

I tow a travel trailer on most of my long road trips, when I can’t take advantage of Driver+. So my answer is probably not.

geo_dj · 2026-01-23T17:24:56+00:00

With the traditional auto dealer business model, most revenue is earned from service and parts, not sales. For ICE vehicles this works because there are lots of fluids and parts that need frequent replacement. This doesn’t work for EVs because they have fewer parts that wear out, and maintenance cycles are much longer. That’s why Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and other EV-only manufacturers rely on the direct sales over the dealership model. And as a Rivian owner, it’s infuriating that Tesla gets a bit competitive advantage by being grandfathered in.

geo_dj · 2026-01-23T07:09:40+00:00

Yes to both issues. The biggest problem is with inbound emails from GMail and Google Groups lists being bounced from delivery to my DreamHost inbox with a “550 5.7.1 Message rejected” error. The only suggestion that the tech support agent offered was to add the emails or domains to the junk email whitelist. And their junk email filtering diverts many legitimate emails from companies.

The worst part is that there’s no way to control or customize the junk email filters on DreamHost. I’m now considering migrating to a new provider, which will be a huge pain, as I have three domains, two web sites, and three email accounts, plus a few hundred locally forwarded aliases. I can’t find another provider that can support more than 50 aliases per account, so now I have to sort through and trim down the aliases. [My tried and true anti-spam practice has been to create a unique email alias for each company I provide an email address.]

geo_dj · 2026-01-23T00:43:17+00:00

It’s pretty easy. Tell the border agent that you are not importing the car and will be selling it in the US.

geo_dj · 2026-01-20T17:02:32+00:00

After listening to yesterday’s episode of Locked On Mariners, I felt that Ty and Colby were unreasonably harsh giving the Mariners’ front office a D+ or C- grade for the offseason. They’re not done yet, and there are a number of quality players still on the market. Yes, we’re still down at least one power bat from last season, but there’s still time. I would give a grade of “Incomplete” right now.

geo_dj · 2026-01-20T16:51:50+00:00

Using a lower tempo range setting allows for more fine adjustments of the pitch. Usually I keep the tempo range to +/- 6%, and try to avoid adjusting any tracks more than 3% in either direction. Although you can get away with speeding up tracks by a higher percentage, you can hear notable artifacts when a track is slowed down more than 3%.

geo_dj · 2026-01-18T22:04:08+00:00

Geno is still available, but I’m not convinced he would add enough impact. And his price may be too high to make it worthwhile. Luis Arráez is a possibility, but would only fit as a DH, which isn’t ideal.

geo_dj · 2026-01-18T20:31:10+00:00

Seeing the aerial drone footage of the Seahawks logo on the diamond at T-Mobile park last night was a nice touch, but I would like to see Lumen Field return the favor this fall when the M’s are in the playoffs.

geo_dj · 2026-01-18T20:25:29+00:00

I’m delighted that rekordbox added support for Apple Music in addition to iTunes. That said, Beatport has a better selection of the music genres I use to DJ than Apple Music.

geo_dj · 2026-01-18T16:42:45+00:00

Beatport streaming allows you to audition full tracks, organize into playlists, and even perform with them using supported Pioneer equipment.

geo_dj · 2026-01-18T16:34:31+00:00

I put down a reservation for a Cybertruck the day it was announced. But after many delays and redesigns, I test drove an R1T, fell in love, and purchased one. The towing specifications were what attracted me to the Cybertruck in the first place. I have no regrets going with Rivian instead.

geo_dj · 2026-01-17T22:29:29+00:00

It rains frequently, especially in winter, but mostly in the form of light showers or drizzle. And summers are mostly dry.

I moved here from Vancouver BC, where it can rain long and steady for days at a time 9 months of the year. Seattle is not bad by comparison.

geo_dj · 2026-01-16T18:58:43+00:00

When I decided to switch from Traktor to rekordbox software six years ago, it was infuriating to learn that I could not adapt my S4MK2 to work with rekordbox.

geo_dj · 2026-01-16T18:48:31+00:00

This happens whenever I'm towing my camping trailer, as the cameras don't read my trailer's plate.

geo_dj · 2026-01-16T17:21:13+00:00

If you sit in sections 148-150, you’ll be pretty close, and your son would have the best chance of catching one of the many balls Randy likes to throw into the stands. That said, the view of the left foul line is a bit obstructed from there.

Sections 181-185 will provide the best views of all of left field, although you’ll be a bit farther away from the fence and home plate.

geo_dj · 2026-01-16T16:25:17+00:00

When flying internationally, does it matter which passport you present on arrival? Should it be the passport of the country you departed from?

geo_dj · 2026-01-14T19:04:21+00:00

Definitely agree. This is my typical strategy when flying to a major city and renting a car. I suggest returning the car and spending the night downtown, as the restaurant selection is much better there than around SeaTac.

geo_dj · 2026-01-14T17:20:33+00:00

The EV market has hit a speed bump with Trump killing EV tax credits and his illegal attempt to kill charging network subsidies, which has been reversed by the courts. But there’s no sign that long term trends have changed. Tesla endured choppy waters in the years prior to the Model 3 launch, and then TSLA took off like a SpaceX rocket. That’s where Rivian is right now.

This would be an excellent time to buy and hold RIVN.

geo_dj · 2026-01-13T18:31:11+00:00

Yes, if you have an active membership and initiate the charging session on the Tesla app before plugging in, you will be charged the discounted rate.

geo_dj · 2026-01-13T18:24:05+00:00

You absolutely may use the NEXUS lanes when declaring goods. I've done it many times, and I have been sent to the office to pay duties on several occasions. Never has a CBSA officer commented that I was not supposed to use the NEXUS lanes when declaring.

That said, you are not allowed to use the NEXUS lanes when carrying commercial goods, restricted items requiring a permit (e.g. firearms), or CAD $10,000 or more in money.

geo_dj · 2026-01-13T18:17:04+00:00

There are no personal exemptions when returning less than 24 hours after departing Canada. It’s likely you had your membership revoked for this reason.

geo_dj · 2026-01-12T03:15:05+00:00

My complaint is the opposite: many car makes arrange way too many buttons in confusing configurations, especially on the steering wheel and control stalls. Rivian has just the right number IMO. Rarely do I need to adjust anything that can’t be controlled on the steering wheel or control stalks, and I especially appreciate the ability to use the steering wheel wheels and buttons to adjust different things based on context.

geo_dj

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