R2 TRI-MOTOR

[AirplaneDr]

To Address *

I think even at 45k starting price you're getting a lot more than what others are offering. Probably more performance, two screens (unlike model y), No Elon Musk as a CEO. The AWD model, if 50k would still likely be a better buy than the model Y for the following: Two Screens, Better Performance, Better shape / better looking, higher ground clearance, better software than Ford, Hyundai, Kia. Better quality than Ford, Hyundai, Kia. It's basically an almost premium vehicle.

To Address **

Anything comparable to the R2 will be priced significantly higher than the R2 with worse software. I'm looking at Audi, BMW, Porsche, & Mercedes. I kid you not, when I was looking to replace the performance model Y I was looking at those 3 brands for similar performance as the Model Y and anything closes started at around $100,000....The Macan will be slower than the performance R2 for double the price....You need to really start looking at what the competition is offering on the same performance, range, & interior and you'll soon realize that there is nothing close besides Tesla.

I don't disagree with anything here. However, the R2 has to sell in the neighborhood of 50% historic Model Y volume to be a success for Rivian, hence near Model Y pricing. If Rivian gets caught on the wrong side of the price/demand curve R2 becomes an existential crisis for the company.

Rivian needs R2 to thread the needle of Macan EV performance, near luxury feature set, at least on mid and high models, and Model Y pricing. Rivian doesn't have a legacy ICE product to subsidize EV like every one else besides Tesla. Sales volume is pretty much the only thing that matters for R2.

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[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

False. No one has any authority on price at these shows and they certainly wouldn’t know real numbers when they haven’t been released yet. I’m guessing the range will be 45-65 but nothing is announced outside of starting at 45.

Don't need to say false. Just saying what I had heard. I do not know who they talked to or who started that information. Maybe an employee who spoke too much. I was just passing on what I heard.

 

[Eric9610]

The R2 only needs to be competitive on the base and AWD model that will be the high-volume cars. The top Trim, the Tri they have free range on pricing since you won't have any real competition. I think it would be foolish if they did not price the Tri R2 closer to the Base R1 from a business standpoint.

 

[LoneStar]

Personally I'm really hoping for initial Launch Edition tri-motor R2 perhaps with all-new unique paint color option. I would love to see 'Sand' as option for exterior/interior. Having a sand interior option would be cool with other paints as well. I'm willing to pay in the $65-$75K range for all bells and whistles with the right performance stats.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

My opinion is R2 only needs two motor variants, single RWD, and dual AWD. It's still going to have more than enough power to punch above others in its class, and doesn't really need a tri.

The R3X however... Being a more racing/rally inspired vehicle, I really hope they do a Tri motor, even though it's likely to be stupid levels of power.

 

[LoneStar]

My opinion is R2 only needs two motor variants, single RWD, and dual AWD. It's still going to have more than enough power to punch above others in its class, and doesn't really need a tri.

The R3X however... Being a more racing/rally inspired vehicle, I really hope they do a Tri motor, even though it's likely to be stupid levels of power.

The 'practical me' totally agrees with you. In fact it would be wiser to get the new R2 dual asap and use my 2nd R2 reservation down the road (hopefully allowed) to use for the R3X -Tri monster!

 

[richpike]

My opinion is R2 only needs two motor variants, single RWD, and dual AWD. It's still going to have more than enough power to punch above others in its class, and doesn't really need a tri.

The R3X however... Being a more racing/rally inspired vehicle, I really hope they do a Tri motor, even though it's likely to be stupid levels of power.

You’re welcome to your opinion. You’re wrong, but all good

I’d want a quad motor if they’d offer it!

-Rich

 

[MountainBikeDude]

You’re welcome to your opinion. You’re wrong, but all good

I’d want a quad motor if they’d offer it!

-Rich

Hahaha, that's why I'll keep my T when the R2 comes along.

I want the cheaper R2 variant, but will likely spring at minimum, for the dual motor AWD version. It doesn't snow often in southern BC, but enough that it would be nice to have the extra capability.

 

[bronco7777]

So...with tariffs going into place and the tax incentive going away it's going to get harder for Rivian overall. Just like it's going to get harder for all EV makers. I really think they need to get the R2's in play sooner than they planned. I really believe this new tariff situation will force them to go over their targeted 45K starting price by 3 to 5K. Which makes me think the tri-motor will be kissing 70K at this point. Instead of messing around making these special edition DUNE R1's or the one of one Pebble Beach edition they need to find a way to get these R2's available by end of Q4 (Thanksgiving or Christmas). I know it's wishful thinking but I don't think they should wait till April or May of next year to get this moving. Hopefully RJ feels like surprising us again.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

So...with tariffs going into place and the tax incentive going away it's going to get harder for Rivian overall. Just like it's going to get harder for all EV makers. I really think they need to get the R2's in play sooner than they planned. I really believe this new tariff situation will force them to go over their targeted 45K starting price by 3 to 5K. Which makes me think the tri-motor will be kissing 70K at this point. Instead of messing around making these special edition DUNE R1's or the one of one Pebble Beach edition they need to find a way to get these R2's available by end of Q4 (Thanksgiving or Christmas). I know it's wishful thinking but I don't think they should wait till April or May of next year to get this moving. Hopefully RJ feels like surprising us again.

Your presented choice between the dune editions and getting the R2 out earlier is a false dichotomy. Rivian is already doing everything they can to get the R2 out. The construction is being done by contractors and that takes time. There’s always a bottleneck somewhere and even staying on schedule is an achievement but Rivian is ahead of schedule.

 

[Dark-Fx]

So...with tariffs going into place and the tax incentive going away it's going to get harder for Rivian overall. Just like it's going to get harder for all EV makers. I really think they need to get the R2's in play sooner than they planned. I really believe this new tariff situation will force them to go over their targeted 45K starting price by 3 to 5K. Which makes me think the tri-motor will be kissing 70K at this point. Instead of messing around making these special edition DUNE R1's or the one of one Pebble Beach edition they need to find a way to get these R2's available by end of Q4 (Thanksgiving or Christmas). I know it's wishful thinking but I don't think they should wait till April or May of next year to get this moving. Hopefully RJ feels like surprising us again.

They're still proving out pre-production. Still many months between the very first vehicles rolling off the line and being able to do series production of saleable vehicles.

IMO, Rivian has no incentive to rush this process, since it's probably not impeding their delivery of R1 vehicles, since demand is lower than they expected a year ago. Rivian has every incentive to get R2 right, and reduce initial quality problems before they are actually problems for them and the end consumer.

 

[bronco7777]

I think after September sales will fall significantly for R1's

 

[Eric9610]

I think after September sales will fall significantly for R1's

Not Just for Rivian but all E's. Last time the rebates went away Tesla was forced to drop the price. I suspect this is exactly what will happen this time.

 

[mkg3]

So...with tariffs going into place and the tax incentive going away it's going to get harder for Rivian overall. Just like it's going to get harder for all EV makers. I really think they need to get the R2's in play sooner than they planned. I really believe this new tariff situation will force them to go over their targeted 45K starting price by 3 to 5K. Which makes me think the tri-motor will be kissing 70K at this point. Instead of messing around making these special edition DUNE R1's or the one of one Pebble Beach edition they need to find a way to get these R2's available by end of Q4 (Thanksgiving or Christmas). I know it's wishful thinking but I don't think they should wait till April or May of next year to get this moving. Hopefully RJ feels like surprising us again.

I do agree that R2 is coming out too late. It should have hit the market this year.

Unfortunately, the whole supplier chain has everything to do with the timing of any vehicle becoming a reality. Everything from tooling to simple chips used on one of the subassemblies. The R2 was to be produced in GA and all the early commitments with suppliers were made with GA timeline. When Rivian pivoted to start R2 in Normal, this was the earliest they could get everything laying flat and able to do so.

As for tariff, RJ mentioned during the last earnings call about how the battery cell material impacted their costs. For R2, the battery cell supplier is LG, and from their factory being stood up in this country so the impact will be less. Steel and aluminum tariff is sitting at 50% so the domestic metals have increased their prices. I expect Rivian to introduce/increase composite and 3d printed parts to lower costs.

There is a point to make though, and that is it is NOT dollar-for-dollar impact in terms of tariff. There are other factors involved such as contracted pricing, foreign exchange rate and margins that exporters and importers absorb. The cost recovery will most likely be done through new features, bundles and model year changes and will be transparent to the vehicle buyers.

Tri-motor R2, if they still make it, probably will cost more than the entry level R1S. Sort of like Porsche Cayman GT4 costs more than the entry level 911 Carrera.

While it may seem like Rivian is diluting their efforts by introducing low volume special editions and option like the new quad, given how far away R2 is, its a marketing effort to keep the brand relevant and in the front of people. Without it, there's lot less to talk about Rivian. There is a revenue drop-off period expected and this is a way to help bridge some of the shortfalls.

 

[A_E]

I do agree that R2 is coming out too late. It should have hit the market this year.

Unfortunately, the whole supplier chain has everything to do with the timing of any vehicle becoming a reality. Everything from tooling to simple chips used on one of the subassemblies. The R2 was to be produced in GA and all the early commitments with suppliers were made with GA timeline. When Rivian pivoted to start R2 in Normal, this was the earliest they could get everything laying flat and able to do so.

As for tariff, RJ mentioned during the last earnings call about how the battery cell material impacted their costs. For R2, the battery cell supplier is LG, and from their factory being stood up in this country so the impact will be less. Steel and aluminum tariff is sitting at 50% so the domestic metals have increased their prices. I expect Rivian to introduce/increase composite and 3d printed parts to lower costs.

There is a point to make though, and that is it is NOT dollar-for-dollar impact in terms of tariff. There are other factors involved such as contracted pricing, foreign exchange rate and margins that exporters and importers absorb. The cost recovery will most likely be done through new features, bundles and model year changes and will be transparent to the vehicle buyers.

Tri-motor R2, if they still make it, probably will cost more than the entry level R1S. Sort of like Porsche Cayman GT4 costs more than the entry level 911 Carrera.

While it may seem like Rivian is diluting their efforts by introducing low volume special editions and option like the new quad, given how far away R2 is, its a marketing effort to keep the brand relevant and in the front of people. Without it, there's lot less to talk about Rivian. There is a revenue drop-off period expected and this is a way to help bridge some of the shortfalls.

On the last earnings call, they mentioned the launch edition R2 would be a higher price point so I'm wondering what that will be. They could start with the Tri motor but I have a feeling it's just going to be a fully optioned dual motor with some color that isn't great or some added extras.

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