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Rivian Is Doing The Damn Thing
Jalopnik • • business
Key Points:
- Rivian's third-quarter 2026 deliveries rose 46% year-over-year to 19,248 vehicles, driven primarily by the compact R2 model, boosting its annual sales projection to 67,000-70,000 units.
- The R2 outsold Rivian's larger and more expensive R1S, R1T, and EDV delivery van combined, despite only the high-end Performance version currently being available.
- Rivian plans to release more affordable R2 trims—a $55,485 Premium model in late 2026 and a $46,485 base model in spring 2027—potentially increasing sales further.
- The company is on track to meet an autonomy milestone this year that would unlock up to $250 million in investment from Uber, part of a $1.25 billion partnership aimed at launching driverless R2 robotaxis by 2028.
- While Rivian is showing strong growth and viability, its long-term success depends on controlling cash burn and scaling production, especially with upcoming models like the R3.
