Bad News Rivian R2 Flippers, One Of The First Models Only Fetched $63k

Rivian launched the highly anticipated R2 on June 9 and it appears the excitement was short-lived. One of the first models recently sold at auction and it only garnered four bids.The electric crossover ended up selling for $63,500, which was only $2,015 above its sticker price of $61,485. This means the seller likely ended up losing money on the vehicle after factoring in taxes and expenses.More: Rivian’s Most Affordable Model Arrives First In Its Most Expensive FormThe R2 Performance Launch Edition was listed on Cars&Bids and the auction wrapped up yesterday. The Catalina Cove crossover only had 71 miles (114 km) on the odometer and it was purchased last month.The seller said they were a “day 1 deposit holder,” which suggests they reserved the R2 back in March of 2024. The seller added they’ve owned several Rivians over the years, but ended up buying a Kia EV9 for his wife.Despite this, they decided to take the first Catalina Cove R2 that arrived at their local center with the expectation of keeping it and selling the EV9. She apparently liked the three-row EV better, so they decided to flip the Rivian.While that could just be a story, it seems plausible enough as it’s hard to plan out your vehicle needs and timing nearly two and a half years in advance.Regardless, it’s interesting that the R2 didn’t sell for more money. The model is still in short supply and the company is “inviting reservation holders to order in rolling batches.” If you reserve today, it’ll take roughly a week to get estimated timing for your order invitation.As a refresher, the R2 Performance starts at $57,990 and features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 656 hp (489 kW / 665 PS) and 609 lb-ft (825 Nm) of torque. It enables the crossover to accelerate from 0–60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.6 seconds and travel up to 330 miles (531 km) on a single charge.It comes nicely equipped with Matrix LED headlights, Compass Yellow accents, and 21-inch wheels. Buyers will also find 12-way power front seats with heating and ventilation as well as heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. They’re accompanied by birch wood trim, a nine-speaker premium audio system, and a flashlight integrated into the driver’s door.The Launch Edition adds a handful of notable extras including a special key fob and a lifetime subscription to Autonomy+, which provides Universal Hands-Free driving on over 3.5 million miles (5.6 million km) of roads in the United States and Canada. The special edition also comes with a tow package that enables the model to haul up to 4,400 lbs (1,996 kg).