Saw My First R2 In Miami Today

[martinjlm]

It's honestly too early to tell if the R2 is selling well. While their sales numbers are certainly jumping, I think Rivian would probably say a success would be 150,000 to 200,000+ R2s sold annually. They haven't yet ramped production enough for those numbers to even be possible. We'll get a clearer picture in 2027.

Edit: To be clear, I'm saying those numbers would make it a success because they are probably what it takes for them to achieve profitability. Economies of scale!

Don't forget they have an R3 and an R3X coming. The three of those grouped at a cumulative volume of around 200k would be enough to lift Rivian over the threshold.

 

[DeaneG]

... I'd say some kudos are earned in that it is shaped like a brick but still has pretty decent efficiency. The tests also show R2 getting 2.9 - 3.1 mi/kWh at 70 mph...

Pretty impressive IMO for something with nearly 10" of ground chance and "average" EV tech.

 

[Northpointe]

R2 is going to sell extremely well. But the reason why is not really the car. It’s the marketing and image of Rivian ownership and adventure wannabe culture. It’s so powerful that even though the R2, -which admittedly has good packaging and styling - has very poor range, slow charging, and is listed as the worst reliability of any car brand by CR, it doesn’t matter. Their cult like following is reminiscent of Tesla in that way, although Tesla range and efficiency has always been excellent. I can’t wait until winter sets in and R2 owners realize their winter range is less than 180miles in a $60,000 car.

But then Lucid has the opposite problem. Terrible marketing, no image or identity of brand in any way ,subpar ownership experience, but has the best EVs overall wrt range, efficiency, charging, packaging, speed, in the market imo except for FSD.

If it sells it sells. I know quite a few Rivian owners and none of them strike me as someone who only bought the vehicle based on marketing and image. And the reliability of the Air and Gravity are also less than stellar per CR reports. And we know that people aren't buying Lucid's based on marketing.

People buy vehicles for different reasons. Some will prioritize range while others will want something that has the off road characteristics and design of a Rivian. Neither buyer is wrong, they simply have different priorities.

 

[gaskiller]

Rivian's earnings call yesterday makes it pretty clear that the R2 is selling well. They're now projecting 67-70k total deliveries for 2026. This is almost a 30k jump from 2025 deliveries, and this is with R2 deliveries only beginning in June. I'm sure some R1 sales were cannibalized by the R2 but they're definitely attracting new buyers.

Don’t forget, 30% of those sales are Amazon trucks….so they only expect to sell 40-45k consumer vehicles and that too with R2 selling for half the year. If you look at it that way, not really hitting it out of the park, though much better than Lucid, but Lucid doesn’t have a midsize yet.

The low lucid sales are mostly a reflection of the cost of the vehicle and loss of 2nd mover advantage ( alternative to Tesla) that Lucid keeps missing the boat on. Rivian seems to be picking that mantle.

R1 sales have dipped considerably. Would be interesting to see their average price per vehicle sold. Still a long way to go, reflected in the stock price drop into the 11’s recently.

But I have to give it to Rivian, their diversification - Amazon vans, VW software deal….helping their bottom line.

 

[RajD]

If it sells it sells. I know quite a few Rivian owners and none of them strike me as someone who only bought the vehicle based on marketing and image. And the reliability of the Air and Gravity are also less than stellar per CR reports. And we know that people aren't buying Lucid's based on marketing.

People buy vehicles for different reasons. Some will prioritize range while others will want something that has the off road characteristics and design of a Rivian. Neither buyer is wrong, they simply have different priorities.

People aren’t buying lucid at all. And I am saying that is in part because they have very poor marketing. Nobody knows who Lucid is. Still.

And yes people should and do have different priorities. But a good chunk of Rivian sales , over Tesla and probably Lucid (R1S sales) are drawn to the image and marketing of Rivian. On paper, these cars are not comparable at all. model Y is a much better value car. lucid is a much better car period.

 

[RajD]

Reviews I'm seeing show R2 getting real world 270 miles on a full charge at highway speeds. Way below their EPA rating but who isn't? (lookin' at you, Lucid). The range isn't great but it isn't very poor either. It's middle of the pack and I'd say some kudos are earned in that it is shaped like a brick but still has pretty decent efficiency. The tests also show R2 getting 2.9 - 3.1 mi/kWh at 70 mph. That in my opinion is the real measure of efficiency. Charging rate is again pretty much in the competitive set. Not leading by any stretch of the imagination, but not lagging.

You should see more reviews then. R2 range at 70mph is way lower. You’re quoting the absolute highest measured one from atom M at State of Charge. See 253 from out of Spec on a warm day then 220 from a colder day run David Vaught also got a 213! . Projected cold weather range is sub-200. It’s a bigger issue than people realize because it’s still not cold.

Wait until your ‘adventure’ vehicle can’t even make it to the adventure or back without multiple charge stops.

 

[TahoeMichael]

You should see more reviews then. R2 range at 70mph is way lower. You’re quoting the absolute highest measured one from atom M at State of Charge. See 253 from out of Spec on a warm day then 220 from a colder day run David Vaught also got a 213! . Projected cold weather range is sub-200. It’s a bigger issue than people realize because it’s still not cold.

Wait until your ‘adventure’ vehicle can’t even make it to the adventure or back without multiple charge stops.

I'm not at all certain that low range will really be a problem for them. How many people actually drive their Rivian to Moab for some off-road fun? And even those who do, how many do it more than once or twice a year? Most people will just be driving around town, running errands, commuting to work, and will not have that much of a problem with range. Sure, for the occasional road trip they'll probably have to charge more often then they'd hoped, but that won't be the every day experience of owning the car.

 

[Northpointe]

I'm not at all certain that low range will really be a problem for them. How many people actually drive their Rivian to Moab for some off-road fun? And even those who do, how many do it more than once or twice a year? Most people will just be driving around town, running errands, commuting to work, and will not have that much of a problem with range. Sure, for the occasional road trip they'll probably have to charge more often then they'd hoped, but that won't be the every day experience of owning the car.

This has always been the pitch of EVs. The average commute is 40 miles a day round trip. Most owners can live with daily overnight charging 90% of the time. I take my Air on 2-3 roadtrips a year and while I appreciate the range it means very little on a day to day basis. I suspect that Rivian buyers are prioritizing soccer practices and Home Depot runs over road trips. And sure they’ll lose range in the winter but the trade off is a very capable vehicle to get to school and work in a snowstorm.