If the R2 Launch Edition price is $54,999

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

I just want everyone to keep a few things in mind.
1) The only thing Rivian really needs to be profitable is economy of scale. The price of the car is important because they need to sell a lot of cars, not necessarily with large margins but to split fixed cost amongst them.
2) RJ has been stressing affordable EVs. 60k is not affordable. He has specifically mentioned 45k as the bar for affordable EVs a lot. This is a double edge sword. If Rivian releases at 60k and does not release the 45k soon after, they will be attacked for lying. How many comments on YouTube doubted a 45k starting price the past two years? I think if they do release at 60k, they will also do what they did with also and offer/ announce a lower trim version at a cheaper price that will release a few months later as well like they did with the TM-B.

Sponsored

 

[iamnid]

If the launch edition comes out at anything less than $1 under $60,000 (i.e. $59,999), to quote the late great Mitch Hedberg, "I'll be f*ing surprised"

I think the LE will be at that $60,000 price and people will gladly pay it until the cheaper versions come out. The LE is too well-equipped to be $55k or anything less.

 

[godfodder0901]

The LE is too well-equipped to be $55k or anything less.

We have no idea how well it's equipped, other than dual motor and no LiDaR...

 

[DuoRivian]

Comparing what’s out there right now. And those are also going to be over $60k.

Both have said $60k and cheaper variants which still have faster charging and comparable range will come out in the $50s

 

[blipit]

We have no idea how well it's equipped, other than dual motor and no LiDaR...

All we know is from RJ's mouth. He said in recent cnbc interview..."we are launching with a dual-motor performance package, with our largest battery pack and a premium interior."

Launch Ed:
- Dual-motor
- Large Battery
- Performance Pack
- Premium interior

 

[1T2022]

If Rivian really succeeds in brining the R2 manufacture cost down, it will price the LE around $57500 to fan the excitement. Otherwise, it indicates that Rivian is still struggling in it.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

If Rivian really succeeds in brining the R2 manufacture cost down

If they haven't been lying, they already have. Cost savings are baked-in in the following ways:

• Further compute platform integration since Gen 2 R1
• Further vertical integration since Gen 2 R1
• Further reduction in wiring, saving miles-worth of copper
• Further optimization of production processes, that aims to both reduce assembly cost as well as improve control over quality. And that was done and validated through exercise of setting up and running a pilot line in Irvine first, then set up line at Normal once finalized. They were not able to do that at all for R1 (and had to learn on the fly).
• Batteries and other supplies were negotiated well-ahead and with stockpiles already secured. Minimizing impact from whiplash of tariffs.
• And with regards to supply, they expanded Normal to include a campus for suppliers—to ensure there is supply on-site and someone from Rivian could just walk over and find someone to talk to, as opposed to sending emails/calls to another time zone that go unanswered.

All of this has either been said by Rivian or reported in the press. And it's because of all these things they learned from R1 launch (and re-launch), they are confident enough to repeat over-and-over the same talking points on R2, regarding timing and sticking to their price target (even after the federal tax credit was terminated). The messaging on timing has actually improved. RJ went from saying "first half of '26" since concept reveal to "early '26" mid-way through last year.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I dont disagree its a fantastic piece of hardware from Rivian and I'm excited for it. But it's disingenuous to think 55k is a good price for the average consumer. We have become numb as EV buyers I feel like to these prices.

Take a generic Honda CRV around 35k or a Hyundai Tucson at 35k ish as well and have a 20k delta between those types of vehicles to an EV around the same size makes no sense to most consumers. To your point a Santa Fe we had one previously even ones today you can have a mid teir Santa Fe for 38-45k which is much larger than the R2 for space. Hence why wider adoption as much as I hate to say it is much farther than we think.

To your point about performance most families could care less about this. Honestly 3 sec 0-60 is absolutely insane performance and unnecessary for the vast majority of people. You're better off making a much slower vehicle that's even lower in price around 40k. Nobody is gunning it with their entire family in the car.

Every time I talk about EV's with friends, family etc. Its always the same thing. It's the price delta honestly, they aren't wrong.

So many good points here. How do I convince someone who could go pick up a RAV4 that averages 40 mpg off the lot for $35,000 to instead buy a $55k R2, or even a $45,000 R2 with sub-300-mile range?

I'd probably point them to a $35,000 Chevy Equinox EV.

As to the 0-60 times. I agree completely. It's fun for a party trick, but no one is repeatedly ripping crazy 0-60 times. I don't need 1000 hp. Hell, I don't even need 500 hp. I'd rather have more range and a less expensive vehicle overall than "look at how big my balls are" performance.

 

[gultin]

(320 mile, 650hp, no lidar), how do you feel? Good for us and for Rivian?

RJ, is that you?

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I just want everyone to keep a few things in mind.
1) The only thing Rivian really needs to be profitable is economy of scale. The price of the car is important because they need to sell a lot of cars, not necessarily with large margins but to split fixed cost amongst them.
2) RJ has been stressing affordable EVs. 60k is not affordable. He has specifically mentioned 45k as the bar for affordable EVs a lot. This is a double edge sword. If Rivian releases at 60k and does not release the 45k soon after, they will be attacked for lying. How many comments on YouTube doubted a 45k starting price the past two years? I think if they do release at 60k, they will also do what they did with also and offer/ announce a lower trim version at a cheaper price that will release a few months later as well like they did with the TM-B.

You’re right, economies of scale are important for reducing costs, but Rivian is not going to be able to produce 3 to 4 times as many vehicles as they have in the past, instantly, or even by the end of the year. RJ himself said it would take 18 months to fully ramp the R2 with a production limit of around 155,000 units a year. They also potentially have over 200,000 reservations most of which are for the dual-motor variant. Therefore they will use that potential demand to sell as many well-equipped dual-motor launch vehicles and non-launch dual-motors at a profit and then put that money back into the company in order to expand.

Until that demand slows there’s no reason to produce something that has smaller margins. Look at how long it took Tesla to produce a $35K Model 3 and it disappeared shortly thereafter due to demand and people wanting more range, performance, features, etc. The $45K R2 will be RWD, will have a cheaper interior, limited colors and wheels, and a smaller battery with a range under 300 miles. It will not have the off-road capabilities of the dual and tri-motor models. I know most people won’t even use this feature, but US buyers like SUVs with AWD and the potential to go off-road. That’s why it’s constantly used in US SUV commercials.

I do think it’s important that Rivian has a timeline for the $45K model and releasing the configurator and looking at what people are building/requesting when it comes time to lock in your choice will give them that insight. It’ll be a long road, but worth it in the end. I can’t wait.

 

[1T2022]

personally I still feel that LE won't be higher than $57500. Can't be higher than the 60k AWD cyberCan

 

[R2D2TOO]

Im prepared for 60-65k out the door.
i am assuming dual large perf, and hopefully a color i like.

 

[1T2022]

yeah, tax and destination is ~$6k, plus registration fee etc. Things add up quickly.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

yeah, tax and destination is ~$6k, plus registration fee etc. Things add up quickly.

Yeah, the destination fee should be built in or let people do a pilgrimage to Normal, Illinois and waive the fee. Too many damn taxes and fees on new car purchases.

That’s why I’m going to lease with the option to buyout. That helps to keep the monthly payments low. Add in insurance and eventually tires and things get expensive quickly, like you said.

 

[godfodder0901]

Yeah, the destination fee should be built in or let people do a pilgrimage to Normal, Illinois and waive the fee. Too many damn taxes and fees on new car purchases.

Destination fee can't be waived. Federal law requires it to be the same for all purchasers of a specific model, regardless of actual location/destination.

Sponsored