Rivian Story: R2 Hits the Road (Highlights & Photos)

[ACDC]

R2: Hitting the Pavement

https://stories.rivian.com/r2-media-drive-event-pre-production-february-2026




Great Pics!

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[mkhuffman]

I really hate those wraps. There are a couple that look good, but in general, they are stupid.

Rivian really doesn't need a wrap distraction with this product launch. Nobody can buy a R2 that looks like the promo photos.

Why would you promote a product that looks nothing like what you can actually buy?

 

[skyguyscott]

[QUOTE="mkhuffman, post: 949464, member: 1626"

Why would you promote a product that looks nothing like what you can actually buy?
[/QUOTE]

It's a good question, and while I don't know the actual answer, I would speculate that they are trying to generate viral buzz with a tie-in to Star Wars. Rivian R2 in Star Wars R2 cosplay wraps. Or maybe they are just having fun with themselves, trying not to take themselves too seriously. The question I have is whether or not Disney sues them, and if a jury would conclude Rivian owes the Mouse some money.

 

[VandalSibs]

[QUOTE="mkhuffman, post: 949464, member: 1626"

Why would you promote a product that looks nothing like what you can actually buy?

It's a good question, and while I don't know the actual answer, I would speculate that they are trying to generate viral buzz with a tie-in to Star Wars. Rivian R2 in Star Wars R2 cosplay wraps. Or maybe they are just having fun with themselves, trying not to take themselves too seriously. The question I have is whether or not Disney sues them, and if a jury would conclude Rivian owes the Mouse some money.
[/QUOTE]

Most likely just having some fun.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

It's a good question, and while I don't know the actual answer, I would speculate that they are trying to generate viral buzz with a tie-in to Star Wars. Rivian R2 in Star Wars R2 cosplay wraps. Or maybe they are just having fun with themselves, trying not to take themselves too seriously. The question I have is whether or not Disney sues them, and if a jury would conclude Rivian owes the Mouse some money.

Most likely just having some fun.
[/QUOTE]


It would be a very big stretch but a CaD order would come first
And they have already said that those colors/graphics are not an option so no monetary gain
Different scale but similar is some of our fine members making branded items that the Mothership/HomeOffice has shutdown

 

[Dark-Fx]

I really hate those wraps. There are a couple that look good, but in general, they are stupid.

Rivian really doesn't need a wrap distraction with this product launch. Nobody can buy a R2 that looks like the promo photos.

Why would you promote a product that looks nothing like what you can actually buy?

Maybe Rivian is going to offer setting the pedestrian alert speaker to the Tie-Fighter noise and an R2D2 acknowledgement chirp for the lock sound?

 

[mkhuffman]

Maybe Rivian is going to offer setting the pedestrian alert speaker to the Tie-Fighter noise and an R2D2 acknowledgement chirp for the lock sound?

I would totally turn that on if they offered it.

 

[shrink]

The question I have is whether or not Disney sues them, and if a jury would conclude Rivian owes the Mouse some money.

I was actually wondering the same thing. Seems like Rivian is taking the R2D2 thing a bit too far. I’m no lawyer but Rivian appears to be using Lucasfilm’s (now Disney’s) character to promote Rivian’s new product - although the wraps may also be dissimilar enough such that it’s not an issue?

These wraps will likely all be forgotten very soon anyway.

 

[captainjp]

I was actually wondering the same thing. Seems like Rivian is taking the R2D2 thing a bit too far. I’m no lawyer but Rivian appears to be using Lucasfilm’s (now Disney’s) character to promote Rivian’s new product - although the wraps may also be dissimilar enough such that it’s not an issue?

These wraps will likely all be forgotten very soon anyway.

Unlikely. Rivian had a partnership with Disney for the Andor series, so the relationship is already established.

 

[cadblu]

I really hate those wraps. There are a couple that look good, but in general, they are stupid.

Rivian really doesn't need a wrap distraction with this product launch. Nobody can buy a R2 that looks like the promo photos.

Why would you promote a product that looks nothing like what you can actually buy?

According to Doug DeMuro, those silly wraps are purposely designed to distinguish these prototypes/ pre-production vehicles from the final production R2s. The wraps are shouting out loud, “not for sale.”

 

[skyguyscott]

Unlikely. Rivian had a partnership with Disney for the Andor series, so the relationship is already established.

hopefully, Rivian and Disney have some sort of understanding or permission. We do know that Disney in particular is infamously protective of its IP. A law professor once explained to me that companies are almost compelled to sue any infringement, because as soon as they start to let things slide, courts will no longer recognize their copyright, and they will lose control over their intellectual property.

If Disney does sue, and any internal company emails are uncovered in the discovery phase, where they discuss Star Wars, those findings would be submitted as evidence in a trial. The more likely outcome is that Rivian and Disney would settle before it went to trial, but either way Rivian has money at stake and Disney has its property rights at stake.

ironically, it’s possible that Rivian has more to gain than lose were there to be a public spat between it and Disney. The resulting press coverage may be worth more in raising brand awareness than a settlement or judgment, might be.

 

[Blue in NC]

I was actually wondering the same thing. Seems like Rivian is taking the R2D2 thing a bit too far. I’m no lawyer but Rivian appears to be using Lucasfilm’s (now Disney’s) character to promote Rivian’s new product - although the wraps may also be dissimilar enough such that it’s not an issue?

These wraps will likely all be forgotten very soon anyway.

Not really a big concern I don't think. Even absent a relationship, the general standard is whether there would be a likelihood of confusion about the source of the goods or a general pawning off of the likeness of the appearance. While I don't doubt that Disney is a gorilla on these things, I don't think anyone would seriously think "is this a Disney car" or "is that a new robot prototype." The wraps are funny but they are not even a serious likeness to the R2D2 character. Never say never but that seems like it would be a really weak case.

 

[SANZC02]

Not really a big concern I don't think. Even absent a relationship, the general standard is whether there would be a likelihood of confusion about the source of the goods or a general pawning off of the likeness of the appearance. While I don't doubt that Disney is a gorilla on these things, I don't think anyone would seriously think "is this a Disney car" or "is that a new robot prototype." The wraps are funny but they are not even a serious likeness to the R2D2 character. Never say never but that seems like it would be a really weak case.

I agree, did not even make the link myself, even after people started pointing it out I do not really see it.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Maybe Rivian is going to offer setting the pedestrian alert speaker to the Tie-Fighter noise and an R2D2 acknowledgement chirp for the lock sound?

I was just thinking of the R2D2 lock sound today!

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