TXAggie2011 said:

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Tesla has taken the same kind of loans from the federal government. For example, they took a half billion dollar loan to help build their Fremont plant in California.

If Rivian isn't going to use the funds, they should return the loan. But DOGE shouldn't be involved here and Vivek making the loan political is not a good look

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Though these loans shouldn't be given by the government, it should be noted that Tesla also paid theirs back early.

TXAggie2011 said:

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Tesla has taken the same kind of loans from the federal government. For example, they took a half billion dollar loan to help build their Fremont plant in California.

If Rivian isn't going to use the funds, they should return the loan. But DOGE shouldn't be involved here and Vivek making the loan political is not a good look

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Tesla took over the shuttered New United Motors Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant, in Fremont. The $465M loan (less than 1/10th of the Rivian loan) was likely used to purchase the plant and or upgrade the machinery, not to build it from scratch.

Rivian paused the construction of the Georgia plant (announced in 2021) in May this year due to the fact they lost $5.4B in 2023.

The Rivian loan is a bailout aimed to stick it to Elon.

Btw, Rivian lost $39K per vehicle in Q3.

V8Aggie said:

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TXAggie2011 said:

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Tesla has taken the same kind of loans from the federal government. For example, they took a half billion dollar loan to help build their Fremont plant in California.

If Rivian isn't going to use the funds, they should return the loan. But DOGE shouldn't be involved here and Vivek making the loan political is not a good look

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Though these loans shouldn't be given by the government, it should be noted that Tesla also paid theirs back early.

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As did Chryler, back in the 80s.

eta: But it is not the government's job to give owns to individuals and businesses.

MGS said:

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Ed Harley said:

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WestAustinAg said:

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Ed Harley said:

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Elon loves himself some government tit. He can't let someone else get some, too.

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He has called for the elimination of tax reimbursements for all cars. And he never needed them though they went to customers back when the govt liked him.

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How much does SpaceX get?

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I'm pretty sure they don't sell cars.

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Pretty sure I never said they did. I said Elon loves some government tit. Which he does.

Ed Harley said:

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MGS said:

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Ed Harley said:

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WestAustinAg said:

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Ed Harley said:

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Elon loves himself some government tit. He can't let someone else get some, too.

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He has called for the elimination of tax reimbursements for all cars. And he never needed them though they went to customers back when the govt liked him.

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How much does SpaceX get?

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I'm pretty sure they don't sell cars.

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Pretty sure I never said they did. I said Elon loves some government tit. Which he does.

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Is spacex getting subsidies or just government contracts?

Also - government has a true incentive here as the US needs to be capable to launch our own satellites for national security reasons.

Not the best comparison.

Anyone who thinks Rivian is a "competitor" to Tesla is dreaming.

And if you think Elon is gung ho on destroying "competitors", just look at his reputation in his businesses. He is literally currently launching rockets with a competing satellite internet service to Starlink on board (OneWeb) and placing them into orbit. He isn't charging them more or making it more difficult for them. He believes in fair competition in business, and is track record backs that up.

The Georgia plant is for the Rivian R2 which is intended to be a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y.

JohnnyTexAg1995 said:

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Anyone who thinks Rivian is a "competitor" to Tesla is dreaming.

And if you think Elon is gung ho on destroying "competitors", just look at his reputation in his businesses. He is literally currently launching rockets with a competing satellite internet service to Starlink on board (OneWeb) and placing them into orbit. He isn't charging them more or making it more difficult for them. He believes in fair competition in business, and is track record backs that up.

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It doesn't matter. We shouldn't just trust that he will do the right thing. I'm a fan of his and he and his agency shouldn't not be part of this at all.