Borealis and Forest Green not available at R2 launch

[MClayton]

Rivian spent all the paint money on that huge compensation package (400 million plus) for its CEO instead.

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[Jeremy3292]

Rivian spent all the paint money on that huge compensation package (400 million plus) for its CEO instead.

It's all stock options tied to company performance. His salary is only $1mm.

 

[timf]

If waiting for Borealis means it comes with LIDAR and the Gen 3 computer, that would be some consolation.

 

[VandalSibs]

How would Rivian know the popularity of each color without the configurator being available?
I'm between Esker Silver and Half Moon Grey, but I will take any color if it means I will get it sooner.

Customer surveys, market research & overall trends in the automotive industry allows them to get a general idea of which colors to produce in what quantities.

 

[bronco7777]

I totally understand the possible reasoning behind some of the limitations on what will be available at launch or not.

But honestly it's all such an annoying tease.

When they did their release event for the R2, It's like: "Here's our shiny new toy and we have all these great color options for the interior & exterior" Then you start getting limitations. Oh you can't get a white interior with the launch. Now you can't get Forest Green or Borealis with the launch. I'd rather they have direct clarity right from the start. I really hope they decide to extend the launch benefits so some of us can get the configurations we really want. Even if we have to wait longer for it.

 

[mellowthecat]

I totally understand the possible reasoning behind some of the limitations on what will be available at launch or not.

But honestly it's all such an annoying tease.

When they did their release event for the R2, It's like: "Here's our shiny new toy and we have all these great color options for the interior & exterior" Then you start getting limitations. Oh you can't get a white interior with the launch. Now you can't get Forest Green or Borealis with the launch. I'd rather they have direct clarity right from the start. I really hope they decide to extend the launch benefits so some of us can get the configurations we really want. Even if we have to wait longer for it.

totally understand where people are frustrated with the bait and switch. But if I was launching a product, I would do it the exact same way. Options up front to appeal to all tastes and garner excitement, then limit options in the beginning to pump out volume.

 

[VandalSibs]

It's called marketing. Plenty of companies offer limited time options on things, or show off features before they are available. It's not exclusive to Rivian, or even auto manufacturers.

 

[Jeremy3292]

I do find it a bit funny that people are upset purple paint isn't available at launch, which sidebar is probably going to be <1% of sales for R2 paint colors, but could care less about Gen3 autonomy hardware not being available. You don't get it all by being first bc you get to be first. That's how it goes. If you want to wait a little bit you can get everything you want: coastal cloud interior, purple paint, Gen3 hardware. There's no bait and switch; they didn't cancel the options. The options will be available just not to the first 5-10% of people who get their cars first.

No shade at anyone, just a bit funny to me.

 

[Dreadknight25]

It's called marketing. Plenty of companies offer limited time options on things, or show off features before they are available. It's not exclusive to Rivian, or even auto manufacturers.

Yep, but did we really need two grays at launch instead of having the performance trim exclusive color be available upfront? For me personally I know before I was showing everyone R2 out of excitement thinking I was getting Borealis, now that it feels like i’m having to settle for Catalina or Launch Green i’ve lost interest in word of mouth recommending this and every update we seem to LOSE option(s). They should’ve just been upfront and clear.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I do find it a bit funny that people are upset purple paint isn't available at launch, which sidebar is probably going to be <1% of sales for R2 paint colors, but could care less about Gen3 autonomy hardware not being available. You don't get it all by being first bc you get to be first. That's how it goes. If you want to wait a little bit you can get everything you want: coastal cloud interior, purple paint, Gen3 hardware. There's no bait and switch. The options will be available just not to the first 5-10% of people who get their cars first.

No shade at anyone, just a bit funny to me.

This whole situation has me grimacing. The person responsible for this decision is a barney. A total blueberry moment.

 

[Jeremy3292]

This whole situation has me grimacing. The person responsible for this decision is a barney. A total blueberry moment.

We must be different generations bc I have no idea what this means

 

[Dreadknight25]

This whole situation has me grimacing. The person responsible for this decision is a barney. A total blueberry moment.

My face turned violet when I heard the news

 

[mellowthecat]

Yep, but did we really need two grays at launch instead of having the performance trim exclusive color be available upfront? For me personally I know before I was showing everyone R2 out of excitement thinking I was getting Borealis, now that it feels like i’m having to settle for Catalina or Launch Green i’ve lost interest in word of mouth recommending this and every update we seem to LOSE option(s). They should’ve just been upfront and clear.

I am not admonishing you, but you did exactly what they wanted you to do, and it's the reason they put all the options up front. Free advertising, lower customer acquisition costs by transferring your excitement and emotion to new potential buyers, and you will buy anyways. It's a game all in the name of business. Word of mouth is the best way to lower customer acquisition costs

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

If waiting for Borealis means it comes with LIDAR and the Gen 3 computer, that would be some consolation.

I'm trying to convince myself of that too, but now I'm like okay, so now I have to pay for the outer color, the interior color, the autonomy, and the tow package, and the fob. So to me, it's almost like, is paying performance worth it when I now have to pay for the autonomy, tow, and fob to wait for a color. But premium doesn't have Borealis. I was getting performance only because of Borealis and it came with additional options so I justified the cost. (I don't do wraps either so don't offer it as an option to me). I've had disappointing news all year and kept telling myself that "at least I'll get a nice car in my perfect color and interior soon." Just to be denied that. Sorry guys, but 2026 is really dragging me. It's getting hard when its always bad news and even the good things keeps getting less and less. What's the point of working to the bone and the one time you decide to treat yourself to something that makes you happy they keep stacking up costs after doing all that planning to afford it comfortably, so your stuck making a decision on spending more to make yourself happy or settling for something you don't fully want and mitigating further disappointment. I'm a straight shooter type so if they were honest up front, I would have been fine, but the constant barrage of constantly lowering, expectations I just can't right now.

 

[Great Gatsby]

I'm trying to convince myself of that too, but now I'm like okay, so now I have to pay for the outer color, the interior color, the autonomy, and the tow package, and the fob. So to me, it's almost like, is paying performance worth it when I now have to pay for the autonomy, tow, and fob to wait for a color. But premium doesn't have Borealis. I was getting performance only because of Borealis and it came with additional options so I justified the cost. (I don't do wraps either so don't offer it as an option to me). I've had disappointing news all year and kept telling myself that "at least I'll get a nice car in my perfect color and interior soon." Just to be denied that. Sorry guys, but 2026 is really dragging me. It's getting hard when its always bad news and even the good things keeps getting less and less. What's the point of working to the bone and the one time you decide to treat yourself to something that makes you happy they keep stacking up costs after doing all that planning to afford it comfortably, so your stuck making a decision on spending more to make yourself happy or settling for something you don't fully want and mitigating further disappointment. I'm a straight shooter type so if they were honest up front, I would have been fine, but the constant barrage of constantly lowering, expectations I just can't right now.

Completely understandable. I think they are trying to be too cautious while also trying to keep momentum going, all which is resulting in a lot of us being disappointed by the constant game of "just wait a few months!". Journalist get to review it in February. Wait another month for full details! March 12th rolls around and its like "orders start in June!" and who knows what they pull come June. Its a constant game of kicking excitement down the line and each time underdelivering while trying to be like "well, we delivered R2s in 2026!" Is that good enough?

And, well, it is. I went from I would love a red trimotor R2 with white interior to I just want an R2. The bar keeps dropping with each update and so does my excitement. The R2 Launch Edition is a great bargain. Main thing keeping me interested but I can totally commiserate with you in that this sucks. At this point, it is turning to overpromising and underdelivering so hopefully once we get our hands on the R2, it will be worth it.

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