R2 buyers - will you wait for gen 3 hardware (including LiDAR)?

[Virtio]

At least they are being up front this time about what is coming down the road for the next gen R1 and R2. It will make it much easier to decide to buy now or wait. I think the rapid changes made to the R1 were quite a surprise to many R1 buyers and they don't want that to happen again.

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[Dark-Fx]

I think the rapid changes made to the R1 were quite a surprise to many R1 buyers and they don't want that to happen again.

Those folks better wait for gen4 then.

 

[AllInev]

I'm not buying a Gen 1 of anything from Rivian again, so I'll be waiting for at least Gen 2 of the R2/R3 platform.

 

[CrazyOne]

I choose:
C. An R2 with a "large" battery pack and the Gen 3 hardware.

If money wasn't real, I would choose R1 gen 3 Quad Max infinite

 

[R2dreamer]

So it appears that the first production batch of R2s will have gen 2 hardware and sensors. Later around the end of 2026 the gen 3 hardware (including LiDAR) will ship on all R2s and the gen 2 hardware R2 will be discontinued. There will not be an upgrade available to convert gen 2 to gen 3.
My question is, if you have a reservation for an R2, will you take the early gen 2 R2 or wait 6-9 months for the gen 3 R2?

https://riviantrackr.com/news/clearing-up-the-confusion-around-rivian-r2-and-lidar/

I voted to wait in this survey, but will they let us wait, or kick us to the back of the line, if we were early reservation holders?

 

[ENVErider]

This is impossible to answer without pricing, packages and most importantly what exactly is special on a "Launch Edition" R2. This questionnaire may be a bit premature. How about posting once R2s are in the shop for everyone to see?

 

[DuoRivians]

IMO, unless you absolutely must need a car, there’s no reason to buy the early one. You know what’s coming next.

Similarly, if you *know* an R1 with 800v is coming out imminently, there’s no reason to buy an existing R1

 

[mkhuffman]

IMO, unless you absolutely must need a car, there’s no reason to buy the early one. You know what’s coming next.

Similarly, if you *know* an R1 with 800v is coming out imminently, there’s no reason to buy an existing R1

Not sure I buy this logic. In the case of the R2, it might be a cost issue. If Rivian hits the $45k target without Lidar, and Lidar models cost $65k, there might be a very good reason for someone to go ahead and get the non-Lidar L2.

As far as the R1 goes, will the 800V R1 charge quickly on a Tesla SC? Or will it crawl at 50 kW? Maybe I would rather have 200 kW consistent max with Telsa and other networks if it means 800V only helps me at EA. Because EA sucks.

 

[VandalSibs]

I really don't think adding LIDAR will bump the price up quite that much. In fact, I have a feeling that it's not going to be a very big factor in the price, as opposed to battery pack size or number of motors.

 

[mkhuffman]

I really don't think adding LIDAR will bump the price up quite that much. In fact, I have a feeling that it's not going to be a very big factor in the price, as opposed to battery pack size or number of motors.

Sales price is not always directly proportional to manufacturing cost.

In the reveal, they said the Lidar unit was "hundreds of dollars". That likely means less than $1,000, but not necessarily. Let's say the Lidar unit by itself is $500. Maybe adding in the additional assembly cost and other parts needed the extra cost reaches $1000. That seems like a reasonable ballpark.

With a $1k cost increase, maybe they increase the MSRP by $5k? IDK. Marketing, smarketing. But maybe they will include other features with the Lidar model like maybe the Tri motor. Or a bigger battery. So maybe you can't get Lidar unless you get the biggest battery and the Tri motors.

Who knows, but it could be what they do. It would be logical to take that approach, I think.

 

[portdirect]

Funny thing about all this. It’s probably irrelevant from Rivian's POV: even with dampened demand from tech forward folks and those who want somthing that’s a compelling upgrade from a R1S tech wise (and don’t need the extra space) - they are almost certainly going to be supply constrained anyway. As a result, the Osborn’ing thing may actually work in their favor - letting them getting the production line ramped for most things and then a minor retooling to support gen3 when it comes

 

[macb00kemdanno]

Not sure I buy this logic. In the case of the R2, it might be a cost issue. If Rivian hits the $45k target without Lidar, and Lidar models cost $65k, there might be a very good reason for someone to go ahead and get the non-Lidar L2.

Didn’t Rivian say that it would be a standalone option priced similarly to a paint color up charge?

 

[mkhuffman]

Didn’t Rivian say that it would be a standalone option priced similarly to a paint color up charge?

I don't remember them saying that in the AI reveal. Maybe I missed it. But if your recollection is correct, a color upcharge is $1500 or $2000. That seems realistic. If they combine it with other options that are mandatory, like the Tri motor, a $1.5k increase is on top of the Tri increase.

"Stand alone" on top of a Tri, or on top of any model? Could be. I think there is recurring revenue potential they are missing if they don't put it in every R2.

 

[Just Passing By]

It seems to me we should separate Lidar/Gen3 and its benefits for Rivian from the benefits for the customer, when considering what premium, if any, Rivian choose to charge for its inclusion.

Rivian will charge either $2.5k one off, or $49.99 monthly, for the Automony+ package. This is the first signal that Rivian don't intend to make autonomy expensive when compared to the premiums Tesla has charged for FSD/Autopilot. Rivian see Autonomy+ as a critical differentiator in the auto industry and want to make it attainable.

The second much more important reason why Rivian won't charge a large premium, if any, for including the Lidar/Gen3 is that it provides them with Ground Truth. This collection of data enables the acceleration of Rivian's autonomy solution, helping to more rapidly close the gap with Tesla and create a larger gap faster versus anyone else. It is critical for them as outlined in the previously linked article on RivianTrackr and other reports directly quoting RJ.

 

[AdventureR1S]

As a 2025 R1 Gen 2 owner, I feel cheated.

Imagine us launch edition owners

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