Rivian emails employees about R2 Employee Delivery Program for Launch Editions

[Eeyore]

You’re right, no one ever wants black. You said it for everyone ever.

Really? Did I say EVERYONE? NO.

I guess I touched a nerve, so sorry for that.

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[carsly]

You really think within one year of release they will change the batteries, motors, interior, etc?? The only changes will be Lisa’s and RAP, potential new interior color choice and exterior paint selections. Major changes will wait for several model years to maximize revenue and profit. They have been designing this vehicle for 3-4 years they won’t change within months.

we already know the launch interior will not be the only interior option in the first model year. similarly, we know LiDAR (and who knows what else) will introduce a change near the end of this year. we also believe the single motor variant will launch next year - wouldn’t that be an opportune time to introduce a battery chemistry change or other modifications that are deemed valuable or necessary? C’mon we know that two major changes are already scheduled in the first 12-18 months with Gen 3 later in 2026 and the single motor in 2027. We know at least one interior option comes later. Do you really believe no other changes get made in the first two years? You’ve been handed a map that says expect at least two major changes with things we’ve been told. Rivian will learn as production ramps from hundred to thousands to tens of thousands of R2’s - do you think they would be so foolish as to ignore learnings for years that could improve vehicle performance, efficiency, reliability and/or profitability?

You can bet compute will continue to grow, RAM will become more available at better pricing, cameras will get better, screen resolutions and sizes will be competitive and suspension changes, if needed, will be made as running changes. R2 will get better over time and if you want Rivian to succeed you can bet the worst R2 you can buy in the next two years will be the first 10,000 or so off the line - continuous improvement is the game now. Changes get rolled out as they are ready. Don’t expect this launch to be different, because if Rivian does wait for two years to make changes to a new vehicle platform the likes of which they’ve never built before then they have already lost.

 

[DuoRivian]

we already know the launch interior will not be the only interior option in the first model year. similarly, we know LiDAR (and who knows what else) will introduce a change near the end of this year. we also believe the single motor variant will launch next year - wouldn’t that be an opportune time to introduce a battery chemistry change or other modifications that are deemed valuable or necessary? C’mon we know that two major changes are already scheduled in the first 12-18 months with Gen 3 later in 2026 and the single motor in 2027. We know at least one interior option comes later. Do you really believe no other changes get made in the first two years? You’ve been handed a map that says expect at least two major changes with things we’ve been told. Rivian will learn as production ramps from hundred to thousands to tens of thousands of R2’s - do you think they would be so foolish as to ignore learnings for years that could improve vehicle performance, efficiency, reliability and/or profitability?

You can bet compute will continue to grow, RAM will become more available at better pricing, cameras will get better, screen resolutions and sizes will be competitive and suspension changes, if needed, will be made as running changes. R2 will get better over time and if you want Rivian to succeed you can bet the worst R2 you can buy in the next two years will be the first 10,000 or so off the line - continuous improvement is the game now. Changes get rolled out as they are ready. Don’t expect this launch to be different, because if Rivian does wait for two years to make changes to a new vehicle platform the likes of which they’ve never built before then they have already lost.

Having a single motor option is not a change - it’s an option. As I am going for the performance model the RWD and smaller battery configurations available next year are not relevant to me. They are also within the same architecture. The exterior, interior, generation of motors and batteries will stay the same. No one introduces a brand new model and then changes key items in less than a year.

BMW is launching RWD and smaller battery options for the iX3. Still the same generation of model. A Gen 2 R2 will not be out for several years - with the only change being lidar and RAP1. Of course not including plant colors or wheel designs which can change with model years but are not substantive mechanical changes.

 

[savethemanual]

No one introduces a brand new model and then changes key items in less than a year.

Polestar kind of did that with the 3, completely changed over to 800v architecture, new motors and processor after one model year...but the updated one isn't on sale here in the States yet so we'll see....

 

[DuoRivian]

Polestar kind of did that with the 3, completely changed over to 800v architecture, new motors and processor after one model year...but the updated one isn't on sale here in the States yet so we'll see....

One example and based on their parent company Chinese architecture. Rivian does have that luxury and explicitly said in interviews that people do not fast charge that often (on average) so faster charging times (one of the major benefits of 800V) was not a big consideration given the cost increase it would entail.

 

[Dark-Fx]

One example and based on their parent company Chinese architecture. Rivian does have that luxury and explicitly said in interviews that people do not fast charge that often (on average) so faster charging times (one of the major benefits of 800V) was not a big consideration given the cost increase it would entail.

I always thought this was a pretty strange way to look at that data. We've got three Rivians, but generally travel with our non-Rivian vehicle. It's objectively nicer to use for road trips, since it charges faster, and travels longer, so has a lot more flexibility in where and how long we charge. We'll still occasionally take a Rivian for camping trips that are closer to home, so aren't stopping at DC chargers on those trips.

But because of my usage, we're either an outlier that skews this data down, or more likely typical for families that still have an ICE vehicle for long distance travel. If the Rivian charge times and range were more significant, I wouldn't have even gotten my Sierra EV.

The only real exception for us is that I'll suffer through the worse charging when we're charging on Rivian's dime through the referral program.

 

[the.phd]

I always thought this was a pretty strange way to look at that data. We've got three Rivians, but generally travel with our non-Rivian vehicle. It's objectively nicer to use for road trips, since it charges faster, and travels longer, so has a lot more flexibility in where and how long we charge. We'll still occasionally take a Rivian for camping trips that are closer to home, so aren't stopping at DC chargers on those trips.

But because of my usage, we're either an outlier that skews this data down, or more likely typical for families that still have an ICE vehicle for long distance travel. If the Rivian charge times and range were more significant, I wouldn't have even gotten my Sierra EV.

The only real exception for us is that I'll suffer through the worse charging when we're charging on Rivian's dime through the referral program.

We haven’t gone far in EVs, or in general on road trips, but when we drive more than 2 hours there’s always been a stop that has been good for getting food or letting the dogs go for a walk. I’m not sure why people throw such a big fit about charging stops.

 

[Johnster]

Thanks for commenting on the fact what is called black is more gray. Can you provide a little more insight on that, is it a really dark gray, a medium gray or a lighter gray? And is there more than one shade, such as seats vs dash? My 2022 R1T is the Forest Edge so I don't know what the R1 black interior is like, and have wondered about the R2 crater color.

I have a Forest Green 2026 R1S with Black Mountain + Dark Ash interior. The "Black" is to my eye a (classy) dark grey (with green accents).

Personally, I want my car interior to pair well with the exterior color (and climate). Here in Seattle I couldn't imagine a light interior with the Forest Green <shudder>.

If I do get an R2, it might well be Catalina Cove with light interior (so not LE). Very nice for spring and summer (meteorological, not astronomical)

 

[Bullwinkle]

Would like to see the options. Most interested in interior. Pls let black not be the only option.

^^THIS^^

 

[Bullwinkle]

Yep

We'll find out soon, but it's been rumored that Crater Black is the only interior option at launch....

If you go to Rivian.com and ask the chatbot, you will be told that the Coastal Cloud interior will be an option with Launch Edition.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Well I asked a rep at todays R2 Event in Venice and he said no light interior on the first launch editions, but he said that there would be a light interior launch edition. What that means for timing I have no idea. But a real bummer.

So Launch, Launch Edition is dark only

 

[Mos Eisley]

If you go to Rivian.com and ask the chatbot, you will be told that the Coastal Cloud interior will be an option with Launch Edition.

interesting…

 

[sgtabn173]

If you go to Rivian.com and ask the chatbot, you will be told that the Coastal Cloud interior will be an option with Launch Edition.

The robots are not to be trusted

 

[CharonPDX]

No light interior at launch would be a surprise IMO, I feel like I watched most of the launch materials and launch timing was all about the trims, not options. (Remember when R1 only had one trim?)

At this stage as a company, their relationship with suppliers must enable them to handle two interiors without much problem (R1 has 5).

We'll see!

R1 launched with no light interior color. It didn't get Ocean Coast until nearly a full year after the first deliveries. Even the "mid-tone" Forest Edge wasn't available for a while. If you wanted an early R1, you got the black interior.

 

[the.phd]

R1 launched with no light interior color. It didn't get Ocean Coast until nearly a full year after the first deliveries. Even the "mid-tone" Forest Edge wasn't available for a while. If you wanted an early R1, you got the black interior.

Not really fair to assume the R1 launch will be a 100% indicator for the R2. The company was/is in very different place then vs now.

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