Rivian starts deliveries of its all-important R2 SUV
TechCrunch • • business
Key Points:
- Rivian has officially started delivering its new R2 SUVs to customers, marking a significant step as the company aims to scale up its mass-market presence.
- The R2 SUV, priced starting around $58,000, is a smaller and more affordable version of the R1, with plans for models under $50,000 and even $45,000 by 2027.
- Rivian plans to ramp up production and deliver 20,000 to 25,000 R2 SUVs by the end of 2026, potentially making it one of the fastest-scaling EV launches in U.S. history.
- The company is expanding manufacturing with its existing Illinois plant and a new factory in Georgia set to open in late 2028, aiming to produce hundreds of thousands of R2s annually.
- Despite challenges in the U.S. EV market, including weakened regulations and the loss of federal tax credits, Rivian sees an opportunity as competitors pull back and global EV sales, especially from China, continue to grow.