Rivian said it has partnered with Pantone to create a custom color known as “Rivian Green,” positioning the hue as a core brand identifier expected to debut on its upcoming R2 sport utility vehicle when production begins in the first half of 2026.
The company announced the collaboration on Jan. 20, describing Rivian Green as an evolution of Launch Green, the color introduced with its first-generation R1 vehicles. Rivian said the new shade has been formally certified by Pantone and will serve as a visual anchor as the automaker expands its lineup with more affordable models.
According to Rivian, the origins of Rivian Green lie not in a design studio but on the factory floor. During early production of the R1, the company’s design team took inspiration from the greenish tone created by the E-coat primer applied to vehicle chassis as part of the corrosion-protection process. That manufacturing byproduct later became Launch Green, which has since been refined into the new Rivian Green. The automaker said the color is intended to reflect a balance between engineering precision and nature-focused design.
The timing of the announcement coincides with Rivian’s progress toward R2 production. The company recently confirmed it has completed manufacturing validation builds at its plant in Normal, clearing a key step ahead of customer deliveries scheduled for the first half of 2026. Rivian has positioned the R2 as a lower-cost, higher-volume platform aimed at broadening its market reach.
Rivian’s current R1 color palette includes LA Silver, Glacier White, Forest Green, El Cap Granite, Midnight, Rivian Blue and Storm Blue. Launch Green remains exclusive to Quad-Motor R1 variants. For the 2026 model year, Rivian streamlined its offerings, discontinuing Limestone and Red Canyon from the standard range, though the company has said Red Canyon will return later in 2026. Compass Yellow, previously featured in Rivian’s branding, was discontinued in 2023 due to limited customer demand.
The automaker has also experimented with limited-edition colors, including the California Dune Edition for Tri-Motor R1 models and Borealis, a purple finish inspired by the Aurora Borealis. In late 2025, Rivian unveiled a 10-unit Miami Edition R1S with white paint and blue accents. The company has not said whether similar limited-edition colors will be offered on the R2.
In a January interview, RJ Scaringe said Rivian’s approach to color and design is intended to feel “calming” and “approachable,” setting the brand apart from competitors that pursue more aggressive styling. He added that the philosophy extends beyond vehicle exteriors to retail spaces, events and the company’s broader brand identity.
