SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation - Interim Financial Statements	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all disclosures, including certain notes, required by U.S. GAAP on an annual reporting basis. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and change in equity for the periods presented. Certain amounts in the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements have been aggregated to conform to current period presentation. Results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any subsequent period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“Form 10-K”).
Use of Estimates	Accounting estimates are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements. These estimates require the use of judgments and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the periods presented. The Company believes that the accounting estimates and related assumptions employed by the Company are appropriate and the resulting balances are reasonable under the circumstances. However, due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making estimates, actual results could differ from original estimates, requiring adjustments to these amounts in future periods.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks, payments due from financial institutions for the settlement of credit card and debit card transactions, and short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less. The Company’s cash equivalents are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
Restricted Cash	Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use under the terms of certain contractual agreements areclassified as restricted cash and are recorded in “Other non-current assets” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Restricted cash primarily consists of the balance of an account under the dominion and control of the administrative agent under the Company’s senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”).
Accounts Receivable, Net	Receivables are reported at the invoiced amount, less an allowance for any potentially uncollectible amounts.
Inventory and Inventory Valuation	Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value (“LCNRV”). Net realizable value (“NRV”) is the estimated selling price of inventory in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.
Derivative Instruments	In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to global market risks, including the effect of changes in certain commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates, and may enter into derivative contracts, such as forwards, options, swaps, or other instruments, to manage these risks. Derivative instruments are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in either Other current assets or Current portion of lease liabilities and other current liabilities and are measured at fair value. They are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets. For commodity contracts, the Company records gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value in “Cost of revenues” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and cash flows in “Cash flows from operating activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company also may enter into master netting agreements with its counterparties to allow for netting of transactions with the same counterparty. The Company does not utilize derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Revenues	The Company primarily recognizes revenue from the sale of EVs. Revenue from the sale of EVs is generally recognized upon delivery, when control of the EV transfers to the customer. Payment for EV sales is generally due upon delivery, and an insignificant amount of revenue is recognized after delivery for performance obligations satisfied over time. Sales are subject to a right of return and involve variable consideration for certain sales to employees. The expected value of variable consideration is used to estimate the transaction price. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue recognized will not occur. The transaction price is allocated based on the estimated relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation. The Company utilizes directly observable standalone selling prices when possible. If not available, the standalone selling prices are estimated using appropriate methods, such as the “adjusted market assessment” approach, “expected cost plus a margin” approach, and others. Contract Liabilities The Company recognizes contract liabilities when payments are received or due before the related performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s contract liabilities exclude fully-refundable customer deposits.
Concentration of Risk	Counterparty Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of counterparty credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, deposits, derivatives, and loans. The Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent that its cash balance with a financial institution is in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Company insurance limits. The degree of counterparty credit risk will vary based on many factors, including the duration of the transaction and the contractual terms of the agreement. Management evaluates and approves credit standards and oversees the credit risk management function related to investments. As of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2022, all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were placed at financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. These balances are typically in excess of insured limits. Supply Risk The Company is subject to risks related to its dependence on suppliers, the majority of which are single source providers of parts or components for the Company’s products. Any inability of the Company’s suppliers to deliver necessary product components, including semiconductors, at timing, prices, quality, and volumes that are acceptable to the Company could have a material and adverse impact on Rivian’s business, growth prospects, and financial and operating results. The Company’s manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois (the “Normal Factory”) is operational, and Rivian is continuing to invest in the Normal Factory. The Company’s ability to sustain production depends, among other things, on the readiness and solvency of suppliers and vendors through various macroeconomic factors, including factors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic uncertainties, such as geopolitical instability and its effects on inflation and commodity prices.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Basis of Presentation - Interim Financial Statements

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all disclosures, including certain notes, required by U.S. GAAP on an annual reporting basis. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and change in equity for the periods presented. Certain amounts in the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements have been aggregated to conform to current period presentation. Results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any subsequent period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“Form 10-K”).

Use of Estimates

Accounting estimates are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements. These estimates require the use of judgments and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the periods presented. The Company believes that the accounting estimates and related assumptions employed by the Company are appropriate and the resulting balances are reasonable under the circumstances. However, due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making estimates, actual results could differ from original estimates, requiring adjustments to these amounts in future periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks, payments due from financial institutions for the settlement of credit card and debit card transactions, and short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less. The Company’s cash equivalents are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using observable inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use under the terms of certain contractual agreements areclassified as restricted cash and are recorded in “Other non-current assets” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Restricted cash primarily consists of the balance of an account under the dominion and control of the administrative agent under the Company’s senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”).

Accounts Receivable, Net

Receivables are reported at the invoiced amount, less an allowance for any potentially uncollectible amounts.

Inventory and Inventory Valuation

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value (“LCNRV”). Net realizable value (“NRV”) is the estimated selling price of inventory in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to global market risks, including the effect of changes in certain commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates, and may enter into derivative contracts, such as forwards, options, swaps, or other instruments, to manage these risks. Derivative instruments are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in either Other current assets or Current portion of lease liabilities and other current liabilities and are measured at fair value. They are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets. For commodity contracts, the Company records gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value in “Cost of revenues” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and cash flows in “Cash flows from operating activities” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company also may enter into master netting agreements with its counterparties to allow for netting of transactions with the same counterparty. The Company does not utilize derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Revenues

The Company primarily recognizes revenue from the sale of EVs. Revenue from the sale of EVs is generally recognized upon delivery, when control of the EV transfers to the customer. Payment for EV sales is generally due upon delivery, and an insignificant amount of revenue is recognized after delivery for performance obligations satisfied over time. Sales are subject to a right of return and involve variable consideration for certain sales to employees.

The expected value of variable consideration is used to estimate the transaction price. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue recognized will not occur. The transaction price is allocated based on the estimated relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation. The Company utilizes directly observable standalone selling prices when possible. If not available, the standalone selling prices are estimated using appropriate methods, such as the “adjusted market assessment” approach, “expected cost plus a margin” approach, and others.

Contract Liabilities

The Company recognizes contract liabilities when payments are received or due before the related performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s contract liabilities exclude fully-refundable customer deposits.

Concentration of Risk

Counterparty Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of counterparty credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, deposits, derivatives, and loans. The Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent that its cash balance with a financial institution is in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Company insurance limits. The degree of counterparty credit risk will vary based on many factors, including the duration of the transaction and the contractual terms of the agreement. Management evaluates and approves credit standards and oversees the credit risk management function related to investments. As of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2022, all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were placed at financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality. These balances are typically in excess of insured limits.

Supply Risk

The Company is subject to risks related to its dependence on suppliers, the majority of which are single source providers of parts or components for the Company’s products. Any inability of the Company’s suppliers to deliver necessary product components, including semiconductors, at timing, prices, quality, and volumes that are acceptable to the Company could have a material and adverse impact on Rivian’s business, growth prospects, and financial and operating results.

The Company’s manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois (the “Normal Factory”) is operational, and Rivian is continuing to invest in the Normal Factory. The Company’s ability to sustain production depends, among other things, on the readiness and solvency of suppliers and vendors through various macroeconomic factors, including factors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic uncertainties, such as geopolitical instability and its effects on inflation and commodity prices.