Rivian R2 Lease Costs Spark Buyer Backlash
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 10 2026
0mins
Source: stocktwits
- Lease Cost Controversy: The 36-month lease for the Rivian R2 Performance AWD starts at $829 per month, with some configurations exceeding $1,000, raising concerns among potential buyers about financing terms and lease costs, which could impact market acceptance.
- Missing Software Features: The R2 launch lacks several software features available on R1 models, such as Rivian Assistant and YouTube integration, and while the company promises future updates to include these features, the lack of a firm timeline may affect consumer purchasing decisions.
- Competitive Pressure: With financing rates for the R2 reaching 9.62%, the vehicle's value proposition is questioned, especially when compared to the R1S Dual Standard's lease price of $899, intensifying competitive pressures in the EV market.
- Delivery Targets and Growth Dependency: Rivian aims to deliver 20,000 to 25,000 R2s in 2026 as part of its overall target of 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles, but with R1 and commercial van volumes expected to remain flat, the successful ramp-up of R2 is crucial for the company's future growth.
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Analyst Views on RIVN
Wall Street analysts forecast RIVN stock price to rise
18 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
7 Hold
3 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 15.930
Low
10.00
Averages
17.78
High
25.00
Current: 15.930
Low
10.00
Averages
17.78
High
25.00
About RIVN
Rivian Automotive, Inc. is an automotive technology company, which is engaged in developing and manufacturing category-defining electric vehicles (EVs) as well as vertically integrated technologies and services. The Company's R1 platform consists of two vehicles: the R1T, a two-row five-passenger pickup truck, and the R1S, a three-row seven-passenger sport utility vehicle (SUV). In the commercial market, the Company offers a Rivian Commercial Vehicle (RCV) platform. The vehicle on this platform is the Electric Delivery Van (EDV), designed and engineered by Rivian in collaboration with Amazon. The Company also offers FleetOS, its proprietary, end-to-end centralized fleet management subscription platform. It also offers a variety of services, including vehicle repair and maintenance, financing, insurance, joint venture, software subscriptions, and vehicle accessories, among others. Its other services include vehicle electrical architecture and software development services, and more.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Financial Challenges: While the launch of the R2 SUV may present new growth opportunities, Rivian's gross profit stands at only $57 million against $5.5 billion in revenue, indicating that low margins could limit profitability and impact long-term growth.
- Positive Market Reaction: Rivian's shares have risen about 20% over the past month as investors express optimism about the R2's prospects; if the vehicle proves popular, it could significantly enhance the company's financials and provide upside potential for the stock in both the short and long term.
- Cautious Investment Advice: Although the R2 could be a game changer for Rivian, analysts recommend a wait-and-see approach to mitigate investment risks, ensuring that investors confirm the vehicle's market performance before committing to purchases.
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- Employee Restructuring: Despite the layoffs, Rivian's total headcount has risen from 15,200 at the end of last year to 17,000, suggesting ongoing expansion in R2 production and autonomous driving, with layoffs appearing more as a resource reallocation than a full retreat.
- Profitability Challenges: Rivian reported a gross profit of $119 million in Q1, yet its core vehicle business lost approximately $6,000 per vehicle delivered, primarily due to a decline in regulatory credits, highlighting ongoing profitability issues.
- Future Outlook: Rivian anticipates achieving positive gross profit from the R2 by the end of 2026, despite high initial launch costs, and with substantial cash reserves, the focus will be on the R2's market performance and overall business economics.
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- Profitability Challenges: While Rivian reported $119 million in consolidated gross profit in Q1, nearly all of it stemmed from a joint venture with Volkswagen, with the core vehicle business losing about $6,000 per vehicle delivered, highlighting its fragile profitability.
- Strategic Restructuring: The company stated it is restructuring teams to achieve profitable growth, with layoffs complementing its strategy to scale production and software development, indicating a resource adjustment to support future business expansion.
- Future Outlook: Rivian anticipates achieving positive gross profit from the R2 SUV by the end of 2026, although the complexity of launching a new vehicle may negatively impact margins in the short term, yet the company has ample cash to support its long-term growth plans.
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- Trump's Comments Impact Oil Prices: President Trump stated at the G7 summit that the U.S. would “go right back to dropping bombs” if dissatisfied with the Iran deal, causing a slight uptick in crude oil prices, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Carvana's New Strategy: Carvana plans to utilize its franchised dealerships as service centers and “playgrounds” for customers to test vehicles on its online platform, a strategy that could disrupt the traditional U.S. franchised dealership model and enhance its competitive edge.
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- Layoff Announcement: Rivian Automotive Inc. has announced layoffs affecting hundreds of employees, representing less than 2% of its workforce, as part of its strategy to enhance profitability, indicating a pressing need for cost control.
- Employee Count: As of the end of 2025, Rivian had approximately 15,200 employees across North America and Europe, with the layoffs impacting teams in service and customer operations, demonstrating the company's commitment to optimizing its operational structure.
- New Model Launch: The layoffs come shortly after the launch of the R2 SUV, a lower-priced model that Rivian sees as crucial for expanding its customer base and moving towards profitability, reflecting a strategic shift in its market approach.
- Financial Performance: Rivian has yet to report a profit since going public, with a net loss of $3.6 billion last year, and its shares closed at $15.93 on Tuesday, down 4.5%, highlighting market concerns regarding its profitability outlook.
See More
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- New Model Delivery: Rivian has begun delivering its new R2 SUVs, priced at approximately $46,000, significantly lower than the R1S's $77,000, which could attract a broader customer base and drive sales growth.
- Financial Challenges: While the launch of the R2 SUV may present new growth opportunities, Rivian's gross profit stands at only $57 million against $5.5 billion in revenue, indicating that low margins could limit profitability and impact long-term growth.
- Positive Market Reaction: Rivian's shares have risen about 20% over the past month as investors express optimism about the R2's prospects; if the vehicle proves popular, it could significantly enhance the company's financials and provide upside potential for the stock in both the short and long term.
- Cautious Investment Advice: Although the R2 could be a game changer for Rivian, analysts recommend a wait-and-see approach to mitigate investment risks, ensuring that investors confirm the vehicle's market performance before committing to purchases.
See More
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- Job Cuts Impact: Rivian's layoffs, affecting around 300 positions or less than 2% of its workforce, occurred just a week after the R2 SUV launch, indicating the company's need to reduce expenses amidst financial pressures.
- Employee Restructuring: Despite the layoffs, Rivian's total headcount has risen from 15,200 at the end of last year to 17,000, suggesting ongoing expansion in R2 production and autonomous driving, with layoffs appearing more as a resource reallocation than a full retreat.
- Profitability Challenges: Rivian reported a gross profit of $119 million in Q1, yet its core vehicle business lost approximately $6,000 per vehicle delivered, primarily due to a decline in regulatory credits, highlighting ongoing profitability issues.
- Future Outlook: Rivian anticipates achieving positive gross profit from the R2 by the end of 2026, despite high initial launch costs, and with substantial cash reserves, the focus will be on the R2's market performance and overall business economics.
See More
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- Layoff Context: Rivian has laid off less than 2% of its workforce, approximately 300 positions, primarily in sales and marketing, just one week after the delivery of its lower-cost R2 SUV, indicating cost pressures during a critical product launch.
- Profitability Challenges: While Rivian reported $119 million in consolidated gross profit in Q1, nearly all of it stemmed from a joint venture with Volkswagen, with the core vehicle business losing about $6,000 per vehicle delivered, highlighting its fragile profitability.
- Strategic Restructuring: The company stated it is restructuring teams to achieve profitable growth, with layoffs complementing its strategy to scale production and software development, indicating a resource adjustment to support future business expansion.
- Future Outlook: Rivian anticipates achieving positive gross profit from the R2 SUV by the end of 2026, although the complexity of launching a new vehicle may negatively impact margins in the short term, yet the company has ample cash to support its long-term growth plans.
See More
Federal Reserve Policy Decision and Market Dynamics
- Federal Reserve Policy Decision: The Federal Reserve is set to announce its latest policy decision at 2 PM today, with expectations to hold interest rates steady; however, new Chairman Warsh may not participate in the 'dot plot' update, potentially breaking a 14-year tradition and impacting market expectations for future rate movements.
- Trump's Comments Affect Oil Prices: At the G7 summit, Trump stated that the U.S. would 'go right back to dropping bombs' if dissatisfied with the Iran deal, causing crude oil prices to rise slightly after a drop below $80 yesterday, highlighting the direct impact of geopolitical tensions on market dynamics.
- Carvana's New Model: Carvana plans to use its franchised dealerships as service centers and 'playgrounds' for customers to test vehicles on its online platform, a strategy that could disrupt the traditional franchised dealership model in the U.S. if successful, indicating a significant shift in the auto retail landscape.
- Snap Launches AR Glasses: Snap has launched its AR glasses 'Specs' priced at $2,195, aimed at addressing changing consumer relationships with screens; however, despite CEO Spiegel's claims of a shift in consumer behavior, Snap's stock fell over 9% following the product debut, reflecting market skepticism about the new offering.
See More
Federal Reserve Policy Decision and Market Dynamics
- Federal Reserve Policy Decision: The Federal Reserve is set to announce its latest policy decision at 2 PM today, with expectations to hold interest rates steady under Chairman Kevin Warsh's leadership, potentially breaking a 14-year tradition if he opts out of the dot plot.
- Trump's Comments Impact Oil Prices: President Trump stated at the G7 summit that the U.S. would “go right back to dropping bombs” if dissatisfied with the Iran deal, causing a slight uptick in crude oil prices, indicating market sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Carvana's New Strategy: Carvana plans to utilize its franchised dealerships as service centers and “playgrounds” for customers to test vehicles on its online platform, a strategy that could disrupt the traditional U.S. franchised dealership model and enhance its competitive edge.
- Snap Launches AR Glasses: Snap introduced its first public-facing augmented reality glasses, “Specs,” priced at $2,195, but despite CEO Evan Spiegel's assertion that consumers are moving away from screens, Snap's shares fell over 9% post-launch, reflecting market skepticism about its future prospects.
See More
Rivian Lays Off Hundreds to Boost Profitability
- Layoff Announcement: Rivian Automotive Inc. has announced layoffs affecting hundreds of employees, representing less than 2% of its workforce, as part of its strategy to enhance profitability, indicating a pressing need for cost control.
- Employee Count: As of the end of 2025, Rivian had approximately 15,200 employees across North America and Europe, with the layoffs impacting teams in service and customer operations, demonstrating the company's commitment to optimizing its operational structure.
- New Model Launch: The layoffs come shortly after the launch of the R2 SUV, a lower-priced model that Rivian sees as crucial for expanding its customer base and moving towards profitability, reflecting a strategic shift in its market approach.
- Financial Performance: Rivian has yet to report a profit since going public, with a net loss of $3.6 billion last year, and its shares closed at $15.93 on Tuesday, down 4.5%, highlighting market concerns regarding its profitability outlook.
See More
