WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – The Tesla location at Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek, California, just got an unwelcome neighbor.
The newest branch of electric car maker Rivian has officially opened its showroom at Broadway Plaza, directly across from Tesla’s location.
Rivian primarily makes larger vehicles, including an electric SUV and an electric pickup truck.
Although Tesla is mainly focused on sedans and smaller vehicles—except for its dramatic-looking Cybertruck—the company likely still isn’t happy that competitors moved in right across the street.
Rivian vehicles are popular in the Bay Area, especially with those who have larger families to accommodate, or who drive in rougher conditions around Lake Tahoe and other parts of California.
Now, folks have a new place to stop in to check out the vehicles.
What You’ll Find Inside
Rivian describes its Spaces as “playgrounds, not showrooms.” Visitors can climb into the all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV, test seat configurations, sample exterior paints and interior fabrics, and poke around the signature Gear Tunnel—no sales appointment required.
For kids (and grown-ups) there are interactive displays, while a curated gear shop stocks branded camping accessories and coffee from local roasters.
Why Walnut Creek?
Broadway Plaza’s outdoor layout fits Rivian’s “adventure lifestyle” branding while positioning the company amid high-income East Bay suburbs such as Danville, Lafayette and Orinda. Retail analysts note that Rivian is leveraging Class-A mall traffic—the same strategy Tesla pioneered—to reach buyers who might not trek to a remote service center.
