Rivian Starts Production of R2 Electric SUV at Illinois Factory
Rivian started making its new R2 electric SUV at its factory in Normal, Illinois on Wednesday. CEO RJ Scaringe drove the first R2 off the production line, marking a key milestone for the company.
Electric vehicle maker Rivian hit a major milestone Wednesday when it started production of its R2 SUV at its Normal, Illinois factory. CEO RJ Scaringe personally drove the first R2 off the assembly line.
The R2 is Rivian's mid-sized electric SUV designed to compete with vehicles like Tesla's Model Y. It starts at $57,990 and is meant to be Rivian's more affordable option compared to its existing R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV.
Rivian first revealed the R2 in March 2024 to strong customer interest. The company designed it to handle both city driving and mountain adventures, targeting buyers who want an electric SUV for everyday use.
The factory faced a setback last weekend when a tornado damaged a storage and logistics building. Despite this, production began as planned.
Customers can now place orders for the R2, but they'll need to wait. The first deliveries of the most expensive version are scheduled for later this spring, with broader deliveries following.
The R2 is Rivian's more affordable electric SUV, starting at $57,990. It gives buyers another option beyond Tesla and could help make electric vehicles more mainstream if Rivian can deliver on time and at scale.
First customer deliveries of the priciest R2 models start later this spring. Watch for delivery timelines on lower-priced versions.
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