Starting from $45K Wording Removed from R2 Website 👀

[ndmiller]

Let me know in 6 days.....OMG with all the speculation they should just cancel the event already.

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[VandalSibs]

Let me know in 6 days.....OMG with all the speculation they should just cancel the event already.

 

[VegasWeezy]

Not sure if this means anything, or not, but the wording Starting at $45,000 was removed from the Rivian R2 website. I think they don’t want to confuse customers when the launch model debuts and it quite a bit higher than $45K. There are some other potential factors to consider as well, like:

• Announcing the $45K price 2 years ago (automakers should stop doing this)
• The loss of the $7,500 EV Tax Credit (it matters to people who aren’t rich)
• No $45K model available at launch? (although it now says meet the full lineup)
• Tariff Boy screwing with the world economy and starting wars

I can’t wait until next Thursday!

The "meet the full lineup" and "pricing, options and more announced March 12" caught my eye and got me more excited. I was expecting to see the Launch Edition pricing, specs and options. But if we get the full lineup, with all of the necessary specs for each, and the ability to configure and price every trim level, that would be awesome!

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Beware of click bait.

Doesn't mean squat. They and RJ remain committed to a $45k base model, to come later when business and cost conditions are more favorable (hello? tariffs?) They are just removing it in the time being so it doesn't create confusion and invite criticism (or freak-outs) since they are launching first with the more expensive Launch Edition.

 

[Mos Eisley]

I am sure Rivian took inflation into account as they announced in 2024 that it had a target ship date of 2026. They weren't announcing a 2024 release/dollars.

That said, they may not have expected other pricing challenges (tariffs, memory/components shortages, etc).

seriously. A decade from now when RJ looks across what has since become a thriving business, he’ll know they accomplished it through a pandemic, the resulting supply chain mess, then a tariff-happy government. Hell, fiery hail, locusts and frogs would have been easier.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Beware of click bait.

Doesn't mean squat. They and RJ remain committed to a $45k base model, to come later when business and cost conditions are more favorable (hello? tariffs?) They are just removing it in the time being so it doesn't create confusion and invite criticism (or freak-outs) since they are launching first with the more expensive Launch Edition.

I heard to hit the price point, they're going to make the frunk tub optional. No wait, that's Ford.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I heard to hit the price point, they're going to make the frunk tub optional. No wait, that's Ford.

Pennies do add up to dollars and dollars to millions...

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

seriously. A decade from now when RJ looks across what has since become a thriving business, he’ll know they accomplished it through a pandemic, the resulting supply chain mess, then a tariff-happy government. Hell, fiery hail, locusts and frogs would have been easier.

Not to mention the CFO was once a Chase banker. C'mon people. Think past the headlines.

 

[skyguyscott]

The bottom line here is that RJ made headlines promising a 45K R2.

When the R2 debuts, it will again make headlines with lots of press coverage, articles, instagram influencers, tweets, a full press, intense scrutiny in the culture. It will never again be in such an intense spotlight, because you only get that once.

Then they will reveal the price.

Then, if 45K is not in the offerings, they will cry "bait-and-switch" and if you don't think so, you don't know what "bait-and-switch" means. And if they later reveal a paired down version of the R2 to meet that promised price point, it will be subject to cries of "enshitification" and if you don't think so, you don't know what "enshitification" means.

The only way I can think of to avoid these scenarios, given that Rivian is evidently going to launch a robustly featured R2 at a price point well above $45,000, is to simultaneously at launch announce when the $45,000 R2 will ship, and what features, trims, and options will be available at that time.

If you think RJ should not have mentioned the target price in the first place, just look at how the internet, and this site in particular has spent petabytes on speculation on the price, after RJ already indicated it.

This is how people work. If you spend time around them, you start to figure these things out.

 

[Rade]

The entire website seems to have undergone a refresh. Expected.

 

[blipit]

The only way I can think of to avoid these scenarios, given that Rivian is evidently going to launch a robustly featured R2 at a price point well above $45,000, is to simultaneously at launch announce when the $45,000 R2 will ship, and what features, trims, and options will be available at that time.

If Rivian launches the expensive LE on 12th and also reveals the full range with options and pricing...there won't be any complaining(unless pricing is absurd). If they gatekeep the $45k base model, they will receive some backlash.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

That was Doug.

Ah, Doug Demuro? Yeah, he loves the shit out of the R2.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Does that mean a positive surprise on range and charging? A little love (like 350 miles and 250 kw would be nice)

I think closer to 300, like 311-320, depending on wheel size and tires. I believe the $45K R2 will be under 300 miles of range (cited at 270 by MKBHD).

Matt from CarWow said the charging was around 220kW peak with a 10-80% in under 30 minutes. Basically as fast as any Tesla.

Looking ahead Rivian is hiring people to work on 800V architecture, 48V backup batteries, steer-by-wire, etc. I think this will all be for a refreshed version (Gen 3) of the R1 line to keep it competitive. They want to continue to sell these models and have learned a lot from the R2/R3.

 

[skyguyscott]

I also hate to speculate, but if gas prices continue to spike, because of, you know, that likely bodes well for Rivian et. al., because history.

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