On April 22, 2026, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe drives the first off-the-shelf R2 electric SUV off the assembly line at the company’s factory in Normal, Illinois.
Courtesy of Rivian
Rivian Automobile announced Wednesday that it has begun production of its new R2 all-electric vehicle for customers at its Normal, Illinois, factory.
The start of production is a crucial step for the company before deliveries to customers, scheduled for later this spring. Investors will expect the company to increase production for the foreseeable future.
Rivian expects the R2 – an updated, cheaper electric vehicle that resembles its flagship R1 SUV – to attract more buyers and deliver on the company’s promises to reduce costs and become profitable in the coming years.
The first of the R2 midsize vehicles is a $58,000 performance model with an “introductory package” that includes a 330-mile range, two engines, special attributes and “lifetime” access to its Autonomy+ advanced driver assistance system.
Rivian is touting a cheaper entry-level version of the vehicle, starting at $45,000, but has said that model, which is expected to be less profitable, won’t be available until late 2027. Its current vehicles start at more than $70,000.
The announcement of R2 production comes less than a week after a tornado damaged part of the company’s factory used for storage and logistics of R2 parts.
Rivian is expected to report its first quarter results and update investors on R2 production on April 30.