First deliveries have been made to employees, first "real" customers will be in november and they are required to hit their initial Amazon requirement by December.
I think the concern is that they've delivered zero vehicles (but even then as you say, with the caveat that they've delivered to employees).
I haven't been following Rivian closely, but I was quite impressed by their PR event with Youtube folks recently https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGqexebCcUo - it definitely seems like a real, capable vehicle. Add to that their orders from Amazon (and presumably others at some point), and it seems like a plausible company.
Now, whether they have the margins and cash reserves to handle volatile markets / logistical concerns to survive long enough to become a long-term player, I'm not sure.
First deliveries have been made to employees, first "real" customers will be in november and they are required to hit their initial Amazon requirement by December.
The idea that they have sold 0 is wrong.