Rivian begins manufacturing on the R2 electrical SUV

Rivian has begun manufacturing of its R2 SUV. Nonetheless, you may’t get one simply but: The primary buyer deliveries (of the most costly model) aren’t anticipated till later this spring.

On Wednesday, CEO RJ Scaringe drove the primary electrical SUV off the manufacturing line on the firm’s Regular, IL, manufacturing unit. A storage and logistics constructing at that manufacturing unit was damaged by a twister final weekend, with Wednesday’s rollout occasion seemingly designed to reassure nervous clients and buyers.

“We’re actually excited to be producing R2 for our clients,” Scaringe is quoted as saying in a news release. Nonetheless, Rivian CFO Claire McDonough told Reuters that clients will not have the ability to configure their automobile orders till June. Electrek reports that these first items rolling out now are going to Rivian workers.

When you have been drawn to the R2’s $45,000 starting price, nicely, Rivian will not have any of these for some time. First off the road (this spring) is the Launch Bundle, beginning at $57,990. A Premium trim, anticipated late 2026, will value $53,990. Then, within the first half of 2027, a Normal (RWD lengthy vary) variant arrives at $48,490. And as for that headline-grabbing $45,000 base-model R2, I hope you want ready. It will not be right here till late 2027.

The Rivian R2 was revealed in 2024. Smaller and lighter than the flagship R1, the corporate is positioning the EV as its reply to Tesla’s best-selling Model Y. All variations of the brand new two-row SUV are rated for no less than 300 miles per cost. Every trim has a local NACS cost port. The automobile can cost from 10 p.c to 80 p.c in below half-hour when utilizing a DC quick charger.