Most Jeep buyers never go off-road either. They buy it because of the idea that they could, some day. Most big item purchases are not rational. It's emotional and aspirational. This is why automakers (and their ad agencies) pick grandiose locations to photograph and film their cars.
I’m not disagreeing with you - just stating the reality. I own both an R1S and a Mach-E, and have a reservation for an R2. Off-road capability (real or aspirational) had zero to do with my decision. Same for the other 3 R1S households I can see from the top of my driveway.
Agree. People like the looks or the potential to go off roading but don’t actually do it. Many people buy a 4Runner instead of a Highlander for this very reason.
100+ years of large scale automotive manufacturing history. I certainly hope they know how to put one together and repeat it over and over (with better production consistency than Tesla or Rivian). The decision to make it look like a Mustang and market it as a Mustang was a very strange one. I get the power and acceleration makes an EV more like a Mustang than any other passenger car, but did they have to be so literal? Did old Henry Ford think to make the Model T look like a horse and named as a horse? This is in line with my criticism of nearly all legacy autos trying to play in the EV space. They approach their efforts as timid exploratory exercises in search of why and how they could convince themselves that EVs are more viable than they're existing bias. What they should've done is to wipe the slate clean and set out to create, from new, the best EV they could. If they wanted to leverage nostalgia for sake of marketing, they could've easily styled it and marketed it as the Falcon (which came in sedan and truck forms) or Maverick sub brand... But the Maverick is now a truck. Another "huh?"
My biggest problem is the rear end that I find hideous. This perspective is ok. I also think the front bumper of my 2018 model 3 is a touch ugly. The R1S in my garage is the best looking of all of these.I am surprised you feel this way. I think it is one of the best looking BEVs on the road.
You can leave the car on and lock the doors. Its just not an official setting.Ford still doesn't have any type of pet mode in their EVs? WTH?
Word has it, it’s a lot. They were already over 100k orders mid last year and climbing. They are only running 1 shift in 2026 then ramping to a 2nd &3rd shift gradually over 2027. Maximum they can make 155k R2’s a year. More than likely starting with Dual motor as that is typically popular. Also current Rivian owners get to go to the front of the line.
If you run the math on how they are ramping up based on 155k max per year (granted even with all shifts running at some point they won't be at max capacity ever, because no plant ever does, they just say it as it's max potential) and take a best guess on what your number might be based on past article references of reservations #'s advertised...you are probably looking at 2 years out for sure. There were 68k reservations day 1 and over 100K by mid 2024..I would assume they are over 200k reservations easily by now. The question is how many of those are previous Rivian owners, How many have cancelled since, spec'd build type to be done first ( ie dual motor for example, I don't think a Tri R2 comes until after R3x is out in the market in 2028) and number in reservation line. I don't blame Rivian not sharing the current reservations #'s as they don't want to scare people aware if the # is big as well as over sell to investors/market like what happened to the Tesla CT for reservations vs actual purchase/deliveries. For example, I am an Aug 15th '24 R2 reservation holder and does not currently own a Rivian. Based on a dual motor/ light interior preference, I have roughly calculated I will see my number come up in the Fall of 2027 at best. Thus, I don't think I would want to wait that long with my older car starting to show signs of concern/ needed repair forthcoming, plus would prefer something I can do projects with and still haul (5) people = lightly used Gen 2 R1T. Final R2 preferred build price vs used RT price and timing of $$ on hand to buy outright (don't like to be a slave to the lender/ car payments and we can't lease in our state) will be the driving forces in the final decision...and of course getting my wife to agree
on how we spend our $$ saved in association with. I have her primed on the used R1T angle in lieu of R2, but no guarantee's until that options are there to make the final decision that is best for us going forward.This is both a benefit and detriment as having both a Y and Rivian with road trips and commuting perspective. In only one situation Y is better with NACS port on passenger rear (Tesla Charger both SC and Destination). In every other situation NACS port right rear is worse (my home, free chargers in parking garages or lots, CCS Chargers, Tesla charger full). Since you will need an adapter with the R2 (CCS->NACS) anyway this is neutral for me. I don't care which plug or where it is and neither should anyone else. Like an ICE gas tank filler location, just doesn't matter.
You are not alone, a fraction of the reservations for any vehicle get turned into orders except the hottest of the hot (Bronco, Maverick, Mach E initially). I would guess Rivian will be the same, 25-50% will convert the rest will get a refund like in your case, just get a refund you cannot transfer or sell your spot.
