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Rivian Starts Production of R2 SUVs, Deliveries Expected Later This ...
The electric SUV is Rivian’s first mass-market model and is central to its push for profitability, analysts said.
- On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Rivian Automotive CEO RJ Scaringe drove the first customer-ready R2 off the assembly line at the company's Normal, Illinois factory, marking a pivotal production milestone.
- Following an EF-1 tornado that struck the facility on April 17 and collapsed Building 2's roof, Spokesperson Marina Hoffmann confirmed the company resumed operations this week despite the setback.
- The Performance Launch Edition starts at $57,990, though the mass-market $45,000 model will not arrive until late 2027; the current R2 trim features 330 miles of range and dual-motor AWD.
- Rivian CFO Claire McDonough announced customers will receive configuration invitations starting in June, with the company remaining "on track" for initial deliveries to begin later this spring.
- Analysts at BNP Paribas estimate the R2 will contribute between 20,000 and 25,000 units by the end of 2026, critical to Rivian's profitability strategy and cost-reduction engineering including die casting and simplified suspension.
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16 Articles
Rivian starts production of the R2, a more accessible electric SUV with 539 km of autonomy that seeks to compete directly with the Tesla Model Y
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Left
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources lean Left
63% Left
L 63%
C 37%
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