R2 Launch Watch

[R1TVT]

Awesome to hear the Gen 1 is still getting on, and the fact that its gotten better with age is strong testament to what Rivian has been able to achieve in the EV space in such a short amount of time.

Interestingly I can same the same for my Gen 2 even after having it a year already. However, I heard from Jose (RivianTrackr) yesterday who was at SXSW that the Gen 3 R1'S will be coming out next year. Almost assuredly this timing has to be a direct competition between Rivian and the eventual SM launch.

Therefore, I worry that there won't be enough buyers available between the two companies, like how many each will lose as a result of one another existing because it seems like to me both companies main customer profile is very similar. The only caveat now is R2 which will undoubtedly add a much broader range of buyers for Rivian, but for current R1 owners, Rivian will surely lose buyers to SM.

So the real question I guess at least for us current R1 owners is what does SM need to ensure they do to pull R1 owners from Rivian. For me initially at least, its the legacy of the brand and the blend between heritage and modern. But the level of tech that the Gen 3 will undoubtedly have in a tried and true platform I'm familiar with is also quite appealing. Ultimately, I think the deciding factor will be the size difference between the two.

And price and "ruggedness" in many ways - at least in my mind. Scout can fill a $20K Pricing gap that can be meaningful if Rivian pricing remains "premium" for R1 / Gen3

 

[robothero]

Had to go back and double check...

 

[cyure]

Had to go back and double check...

View attachment 14208

Are you ordering when you get the opportunity?

 

[robothero]

Are you ordering when you get the opportunity?

Not sure yet... there's a few Rivian things I don't love, and the launch edition trim isn't the one I would have picked. Plus the idea of having a car payment again isn't something I'm jumping through hoops for.

But on the other hand, as I've gone from full time remote to daily commuter, the wear/tear and gas prices aren't something that really jazz me up either. (Plus I just dropped money on a remote start and about to spend on brakes and tires)

And my Scout purchase could still be 3 years away?

We'll see where my head is at when I get the email to configure.

 

[cyure]

Not sure yet... there's a few Rivian things I don't love, and the launch edition trim isn't the one I would have picked. Plus the idea of having a car payment again isn't something I'm jumping through hoops for.

But on the other hand, as I've gone from a full time remote to daily commuter, the wear/tear and gas prices aren't something that really jazz me up either. (Plus I just dropped money on a remote start and about to spend on brakes and tires)

And my Scout purchase could still be 3 years away?

We'll see where my head is at when I get the email to configure.

When did you put in your Scout reservation?

 

[robothero]

When did you put in your Scout reservation?

October 25, 2024!!!

 

[cyure]

They are going to have leasing. I really think they are going to sell a ton of these. It’s not for me but yay for Normal!

https://riviantrackr.com/news/rivian-confirms-leasing-will-be-available-when-r2-launches/

 

[robothero]

I think the leasing should definitely move the needle for those of us who are waiting on Scouts and looking to potentially jump to another vehicle temporarily.

 

[Chaz26]

I like the R2 overall, the only things that are an issue for me is the 400v charging, it just seems a little slow compared to other competitors these days. The other thing for me, is I would probably look at the Premium trim if I were to ever consider getting one, and the paint options just seem all dark, there's not one bright color option (other than white and I don't like white paint), would have been nice to have at least one bright color, whether it's a lighter shade of blue, or a red/orange etc.

 

[cyure]

I like the R2 overall, the only things that are an issue for me is the 400v charging, it just seems a little slow compared to other competitors these days. The other thing for me, is I would probably look at the Premium trim if I were to ever consider getting one, and the paint options just seem all dark, there's not one bright color option (other than white and I don't like white paint), would have been nice to have at least one bright color, whether it's a lighter shade of blue, or a red/orange etc.

I have no dog in this fight, but I completely agree. If they are doing that to nudge people to higher trims to get color options I sure don’t like it. If I were in the market for an R2 I would be getting purple. They definitely needed more fun colors.

 

[robothero]

not me where every car I've ever owned has been grey or dark blue

 

[Scout_Lookout]

I like the R2 overall, the only things that are an issue for me is the 400v charging, it just seems a little slow compared to other competitors these days. The other thing for me, is I would probably look at the Premium trim if I were to ever consider getting one, and the paint options just seem all dark, there's not one bright color option (other than white and I don't like white paint), would have been nice to have at least one bright color, whether it's a lighter shade of blue, or a red/orange etc.

I have no dog in this fight, but I completely agree. If they are doing that to nudge people to higher trims to get color options I sure don’t like it. If I were in the market for an R2 I would be getting purple. They definitely needed more fun colors.

I think with the popularity of wrapping vehicles nowadays manufacturers have found a "shortcut" for lack of a better word when it comes to building cars and it undoubtedly simplifies the manufacturing process having less color options available.

I mean just look at how much Tesla put into wrapping when the Cybertruck was released. I was working there at the time and they literally wanted us to reconfigure our location just to include a wrapping area because there was some serious money to be made and almost every Tesla owner wrapped their cars at some point or another.

 

[J Alynn]

Awesome to hear the Gen 1 is still getting on, and the fact that its gotten better with age is strong testament to what Rivian has been able to achieve in the EV space in such a short amount of time.

Interestingly I can same the same for my Gen 2 even after having it a year already. However, I heard from Jose (RivianTrackr) yesterday who was at SXSW that the Gen 3 R1'S will be coming out next year. Almost assuredly this timing has to be a direct competition between Rivian and the eventual SM launch.

Therefore, I worry that there won't be enough buyers available between the two companies, like how many each will lose as a result of one another existing because it seems like to me both companies main customer profile is very similar. The only caveat now is R2 which will undoubtedly add a much broader range of buyers for Rivian, but for current R1 owners, Rivian will surely lose buyers to SM.

So the real question I guess at least for us current R1 owners is what does SM need to ensure they do to pull R1 owners from Rivian. For me initially at least, its the legacy of the brand and the blend between heritage and modern. But the level of tech that the Gen 3 will undoubtedly have in a tried and true platform I'm familiar with is also quite appealing. Ultimately, I think the deciding factor will be the size difference between the two.

Comes down to buyer priorities

 

[J Alynn]

Not sure yet... there's a few Rivian things I don't love, and the launch edition trim isn't the one I would have picked. Plus the idea of having a car payment again isn't something I'm jumping through hoops for.

But on the other hand, as I've gone from full time remote to daily commuter, the wear/tear and gas prices aren't something that really jazz me up either. (Plus I just dropped money on a remote start and about to spend on brakes and tires)

And my Scout purchase could still be 3 years away?

We'll see where my head is at when I get the email to configure.

No car payment is the bees knees

 

[Scout_Lookout]

No car payment is the bees knees

I dont remember a life without a car payment lol! I like getting a new vehicle every couple of years. I have a sickness I know

 

[cyure]

I dont remember a life without a car payment lol! I like getting a new vehicle every couple of years. I have a sickness I know

It’s awesome. The Jeep has been paid off for a while and my insurance on that car is $50 a month! You can’t beat it.

 

[Scout_Lookout]

It’s awesome. The Jeep has been paid off for a while and my insurance on that car is $50 a month! You can’t beat it.

I blame EV's! Ever since I started owning EV's I've had to have the most up to date versions/software and newest features. Like I said, a sickness.

 

[cyure]

I think with the popularity of wrapping vehicles nowadays manufacturers have found a "shortcut" for lack of a better word when it comes to building cars and it undoubtedly simplifies the manufacturing process having less color options available.

I mean just look at how much Tesla put into wrapping when the Cybertruck was released. I was working there at the time and they literally wanted us to reconfigure our location just to include a wrapping area because there was some serious money to be made and almost every Tesla owner wrapped their cars at some point or another.

Respectfully, I disagree. SM is building the big beautiful paint shop. Put it to good use. I want to see Scouts rolling off the line in all the colors of the rainbow. Plus I’m not taking my brand new Traveler and trusting that someone is going to wrap her properly and not ruin the paint. I’ve always been told that paint needs to cure for a period of time before you wrap. I want my Traveler to come off the line in PBY.

Look how great it is when you get all the Scouts together and they are all different colors. This was at Nats last year.

 

[Chaz26]

I blame EV's! Ever since I started owning EV's I've had to have the most up to date versions/software and newest features. Like I said, a sickness.

See I'm the opposite, from my first car in 2005 until I bought my first EV in 2022, I had 13 cars in 17 years, and since 2022 I haven't changed since the EV keeps getting software updates and still feels like I'm getting new things. I am getting itchy feet though, but I'm trying to hold out until the Scout comes out. I'm Terra EV though so I'm expecting that to be near the end of the Scout release cycle so we'll see if I look to buy/lease anything in the mean time or if I can stick with my current car until then.

 

[Scout_Lookout]

Respectfully, I disagree. SM is building the big beautiful paint shop. Put it to good use. I want to see Scouts rolling off the line in all the colors of the rainbow. Plus I’m not taking my brand new Traveler and trusting that someone is going to wrap her properly and not ruin the paint. I’ve always been told that paint needs to cure for a period of time before you wrap. I want my Traveler to come off the line in PBY.

Look how great it is when you get all the Scouts together and they are all different colors. This was at Nats last year.

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Oh no I totally agree with you! I was referring to all of the other current manufacturers including Rivian are the ones that are taking the "shortcuts" I think. However, when it comes to SM and judging by these pictures, they pretty much have to have a wide color variety AND graphic assortment to choose from. I mean just look at the uniqueness and how much personality each vehicle shows, they're beautiful!

This is something that has long been lost with manufacturers.

See I'm the opposite, from my first car in 2005 until I bought my first EV in 2022, I had 13 cars in 17 years, and since 2022 I haven't changed since the EV keeps getting software updates and still feels like I'm getting new things. I am getting itchy feet though, but I'm trying to hold out until the Scout comes out. I'm Terra EV though so I'm expecting that to be near the end of the Scout release cycle so we'll see if I look to buy/lease anything in the mean time or if I can stick with my current car until then.

I have a confession to make I was the exact same when I started driving back in 2000 and last time I counted I was at 33 cars and that was a few years ago. And yes I agree software updates are the best, but its the dang new features and upgraded chips, and now like R2 a new model, that just pulls me right in.