More R2 reservation holders are buying now instead of waiting for a cheaper version, and RJ Scaringe says it’s happening more than Rivian expected.
Speaking at Morgan Stanley’s Laguna Conference on Tuesday, RJ said conversion among this early batch of buyers has been stronger than planned, calling it a really good sign. Right now the only R2 you can order is the Performance Launch Edition, so what he’s really describing is people who reserved expecting a roughly $50,000 R2 and decided they’d just go ahead and spend the $57,000 or $58,000.
He didn’t share a conversion rate or order count.
Things get more interesting once the cheaper trims open up and people actually have a choice in the configurator. I think plenty of reservation holders are still waiting for those, but for now early demand is coming in ahead of where Rivian expected. As soon as Rivian shares solid numbers, I’ll pass them along to you all.
LE gen 1 R1T owner. Im a March 7 2024 R2 reservation holder. Im waiting for the gen 3 hardware since my gen 1 R1T feels a little left out with driving capabilities. Good to hear more ppl are taking LE R2 orders though
I have order in for lessor model cause I have to have the upgraded new city self driving capabilities for my wife. Whether I take the car when offered is going to depend on quality of the software. If it’s not up to snuff or delayed for too long it will be on to Tesla, mercedes, maybe bmw if they get their act together.
Yeah, I’m one of them. I didn’t expect to be getting a 60k trim when I reserved, but this is my first EV and I’ve been excited for over two years. My plan is to ride out this lease and if I still enjoy having an R2 after 3 years, I’ll buy the newer Gen model in whatever tier trim I think is best after having one in my life for 3 years.
Same. I really thought I’d be buying a car at 45K and I’ve been saving up to put a big down payment and have it 50% paid off out of the gate. Now, it will only be about 25% paid off, because I really want the launch edition. FOMO got me
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Ordered my R2 on 9/15 but I was fully expecting to buy the top of the line R2 available. Said 8-12 weeks for delivery. Esker Grey with coastal cloud interior.
Thinking of placing my order on the R2. Several things, will/does it have a Tesla like Blind Spot alert ? Will it have self park soon and what size tire – only highway driving. Want GREAT handling. ??
Sue, check out some YouTube reviews or join a Facebook group like Rivian R2 Owners USA to get some first hand answers to your questions.
1. Yes. Blind spot camera pops up on the driver display upon signaling, there is a blind spot light in the side view mirrors, and the autonomy readout on the driver display also shows cars in the blind spot. I haven’t had my car long enough to experience whether there is a chime.
2. Self park should come with the point-to-point autonomy that’s supposed to come in limited release by year end.
3. Jose has an article on tire choice on this site, and a tire chooser tool as well.
Initially put in reservation for performance tier, but am willing to move to launch edition, IFF the first time EV rebate is offered, otherwise I will wait.
They are not offering the First Time EV credit until 2027. I’ve been told by two separate Rivian sales people. Very disappointed, since this is my first EV, but I’m going through with the purchase of the Launch Edition anyway. Still waiting for the greenlight on my Borealis/Coastal Cloud trim though. Rivian, don’t you want my money? LOL
Update as of yesterday: they took my money. 🙂
Saying more R2s are being sold than expected doesn’t mean very many are being sold. It’s just CEO Scaringe being very clever with his word salad. Why would anyone buy an R2 this early? Rivian R2’s real-life range is only 253 miles (per out of spec reviews and others). Cost for R2 is $60k vs $40k for Tesla Model Y . R2 lags far behind in self-driving. Lidar and advance processor coming out w/ next generation. Rivian, the company, is losing about $1 bill/qtr and bankruptcy can happen anytime. So why buy an R2 now under these adverse circumstances?