Rivian "can’t wait to bring R2 to you this year!" (Pre Production Assembly Photos & Happy 2026 New Year Message)

[ACDC]

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[Gen(R3)Xer]

Woohoo! Bring it.

 

[CrazyOne]

Dang it! I was hoping for a stock drop to buy some more . Looks like it won't.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

 

[captainjp]

Yup, sure looks like delays to me…
Derp

 

[MClayton]

Here's hoping 2026 is a great year for the R2! I hope Rivian gets this right.

 

[Eric9610]

Looks like all the shells have the cutout for the LiDar

 

[COdogman]

Just skip R2 and get to RXXX

 

[Budman]

They are not going to show the really good stuff until the big January event. I'm going to guess they are much farther along than these images might suggest.

 

[VSG]

Looks like all the shells have the cutout for the LiDar

That's the only way to do it for manufacturing efficiency. Separate tooling for a non-lidar version would cost tens of millions.

The initial trim is a mid-spec Launch Edition, followed by a cheaper $45k base RWD model. Neither of these will have lidar initially. Lidar won't be coming until late 2026 at the earliest (I expect closer to mid 2027) and will appear initially on the high-spec version which will run closer to R1 prices.

 

[SASSquatch]

Just skip R2 and get to RXXX

 

[ebellinder2]

Looks like all the shells have the cutout for the LiDar

I am anticipating the Lidar hardware could be in all R2 vehicles with software to follow later in the year. Probably at an additional cost or on a subscription basis. Almost have to have all needed hardware on the initial R2’s or too many buyers may delay their purchases

 

[Dark-Fx]

I am anticipating the Lidar hardware could be in all R2 vehicles with software to follow later in the year. Probably at an additional cost or on a subscription basis. Almost have to have all needed hardware n the initial R2’s or too many buyers may delay their purchases

I think you're greatly overestimating the importance of gen3 hardware to the average consumer. Gen2 can do everything I want it to do right now. Until actual L4 ships, I don't really care about having the car do all the driving for me.

 

[Budman]

I think you're greatly overestimating the importance of gen3 hardware to the average consumer. Gen2 can do everything I want it to do right now. Until actual L4 ships, I don't really care about having the car do all the driving for me.

Agreed. I did an informal family and friend survey over the holiday. There was near zero interest. In my friend circle there is one person excited about it.

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