Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe drives the first customer-ready electric R2 SUV off the assembly line at the company’s plant in Normal, Illinois, on April 22, 2026.
Courtesy Rivian
Rivian Automotive said Wednesday that it has begun production of its new R2 all-electric vehicle for customers at its plant in Normal, Illinois.
The start of production is an important milestone for the company ahead of customer deliveries, which are scheduled for late this spring. Investors will keep an eye on the company’s production growth in the near future.
Rivian hopes the R2 – an updated, less expensive EV that looks a lot like its flagship R1 SUV – will attract more buyers and deliver on the company’s promise to cut costs and become profitable in the coming years.
The first of the R2 midsize vehicles is a $58,000 performance model with a “Launch Package” that includes 330-mile range, dual motors, special features and “lifetime” access to its Autonomy+ advanced driver-assistance system.
Rivian is announcing a less expensive, entry-level version of the vehicle, with prices starting at $45,000, but it said that model, which is expected to be less profitable, won’t be available until late 2027. Its current vehicles cost more than $70,000.
The announcement of R2 production comes less than a week after a tornado damaged part of the company’s plant, which is being used for storage and logistics of R2 parts.
Rivian is scheduled to report its first-quarter results on April 30 and update investors on R2 production.
