How do you think Rivian will evolve their model numbering scheme?

[PastyPilgrim]

So far I'm a fan of the simplicity of their scheme (R1T, R1S) v. the naming/numbering schemes of other manufacturers, but I'm wondering how they might evolve that scheme to handle new models, vehicles, iterations, etc.

Some random ideas/thoughts:

• Each new model year will increment the counter (e.g. R1T this year, R2T next year, etc.) but that feels a little cheap and would quickly reach overly large numbers
• Major overhauls/revisions will increment the counter (e.g. R1T for the next ~5 years until there's a major redesign at which point it will be the R2T)
• Different vehicles within the same segment will change the number (e.g. R1T for their flagship truck, but maybe a budget/light/work/etc. truck will be the R2T)
• Nothing changes the number and it's purely cosmetic

It seems likely that the prime van will be their next consumer vehicle so I wonder how the scheme will be applied there (for Amazon they're calling them EDV-500, EDV-700, and EDV-900). R1V for all vans regardless of size with size just being an option, or only one size offered to consumers? R1V-500 to incorporate size? R5V, R7V, and R9V to incorporate sizes? Sticking with the EDV name despite 'R' providing a good primer into the Rivian family of vehicles?

Someday Rivian will probably go for the sedan segment too, but R1S(edan) is already taken. What might the alternative be? R1C(ompact)? Or maybe they'll do a hatchback for their sedan so R1H?

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[bd5400]

I thought it was already determined that R2 will be a separate product line, such as the R2S being a smaller SUV. Maybe that's just speculation.

I don't see the company doing away with the traditional method of keeping model names across generations. I would expect R1T to be the name going forward, even if the truck is significantly redesigned in the future.

 

[svet-am]

I think @bd5400 has it right but we'll see what Rivian does publicly.

 

[PastyPilgrim]

I thought it was already determined that R2 will be a separate product line, such as the R2S being a smaller SUV. Maybe that's just speculation.

I can see it, though it wouldn't be my preferred way of doing things since the numbers then would be fairly arbitrary.

 

[jdhiker23]

I can see it, though it wouldn't be my preferred way of doing things since the numbers then would be fairly arbitrary.

I agree with what @bd5400 said, but I don't think what he described means the numbers will be arbitrary. R1 is not just the first models they are making, it also denotes their top of the line "halo" product line. From all the news coverage and interviews I've read, RJ and Rivian seem to have a very long range plan for their future models. Based on this, I'm pretty sure the models will have a clear meaning based on their overall product plan rather than just the sequence they release them. However, I also think their product line rollout strategy will go to R2 next because that will still be a moderately high margin vehicle. If they decide to release a high volume budget compact SUV next, that could be the R3S and then they might come back with a mid-range R2S SUV at a later point (I doubt they would actually go that route - just using it as an example of how I'm guessing the naming will work vs the timing to release the models).

 

[svet-am]

I actually think the “R1” refers to the particular revision of the skateboard in the consumer line and so the R2 will either be a new generation of the skateboard or a new form factor of it. Then the third digit is the type of vehicle being built on that platform.

 

[Speedrye]

I'm tired of the alphanumeric naming of vehicles. Give me a real name again!

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I'm tired of the alphanumeric naming of vehicles. Give me a real name again!

They could call the truck "badger" since that name isn't taken.

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