The launch of the R2 SUV does not stop Rivian from cutting its workforce

Rivian has confirmed a new round of layoffs that will affect several hundred employees. In any case, the fact is that this figure represents less than 2 percent of its total workforce, which stood at 15,232 workers at the end of 2025. The company says this measure is part of its strategy to cut operating costs and move toward profitability.

The news comes just after the start of deliveries of the new R2, an electric SUV that is expected to significantly boost the company’s sales. The Launch Edition version has a starting price in the United States of 57,990 dollars, while more affordable versions will arrive later from 45,000 dollars. This launch is of vital importance for Rivian, which closed last year with losses of 3.6 billion dollars.

Although in 2025 the American manufacturer managed to reduce its net losses compared with the 4.75 billion dollars of 2024, this result did not come from an increase in vehicle sales. In fact, revenue from the automotive segment fell 15 percent in 2025. Growth instead came from the Software and Services division, where revenue soared 222 percent, reaching 1.56 billion dollars.

This progress is closely tied to the strategic alliance with Volkswagen. Through a joint venture created in 2024, Rivian develops electrical architecture and software for the German group. As a result, Volkswagen has become the largest shareholder in Rivian, with a 15.9 percent stake, ahead of Amazon, which remains an important customer by purchasing the EDV electric vans for its deliveries.

Focused on achieving profitability

Despite these positive prospects for the future, the management team led by founder and CEO RJ Scaringe has prioritized cost control. The layoffs have focused mainly on service and customer support teams. As the company explained, this is a targeted restructuring of some departments to scale the business profitably.

This is not the first time Rivian has resorted to this measure. According to American media, this would be at least the fourth workforce adjustment since early 2024. The previous one took place in October 2025, when around 600 positions were eliminated -4.5 percent of the workforce-, in a context marked by the end of the federal tax credit of 7,500 dollars for buying electric vehicles.