Rivian begins serial production of its new, more affordable R2 SUV

Rivian has begun serial production of its new mid-size electric SUV, the R2, at its plant in Normal, Illinois, USA. The first customer units have already rolled off the assembly line, having passed rigorous quality controls and internal validations. The company has also confirmed that, as originally promised, first customer deliveries will take place at the end of this spring.

In the United States it is already possible to order an R2, with a starting price of $57,990 for the fully equipped Performance version. This version includes the launch package designed to give an initial boost to sales of this new Rivian model.

Progressively, Rivian will expand the range with more affordable options. At the end of this year the R2 Premium with all-wheel drive will reach the market from $53,990, while in 2027 the R2 Standard with rear-wheel drive will join from $48,490. Later, an even cheaper entry-level version of the range is expected, with a price of around 45 thousand dollars.

With the new R2, Rivian aims to carve out a place in automotive history

The Rivian R2 was first unveiled in March 2024. With this new compact SUV, Rivian follows the strategy that has delivered such good results for one of its main rivals, Tesla. This strategy consists of offering the best-equipped model with the highest profit margin at first, and then gradually introducing more affordable versions, thereby democratizing access to the manufacturer’s range without sacrificing quality or performance.

The R2 is built on a brand-new mid-size platform, designed to offer a more competitive price than the previous R1 models while retaining the brand’s characteristic DNA in terms of performance, technology and driving experience. Over more than two years, the Rivian team has put the vehicle through extreme tests in the most demanding environments, from the glacial cold of Alaska to the intense heat of the Arizona desert. Every detail, from the user interface to driving dynamics, has been refined to ensure the R2 faithfully represents the spirit of the company.

“We are really excited to produce the R2 for our customers. This vehicle is incredible and is the result of the effort and dedication of the entire Rivian team. We look forward to the moment when customers get to experience it.”