Rivian is certainly emerging as one of the top new players in the world of electric mobility.
The upcoming Rivian R2 and R3 electric SUVs will be distinct in comparison to their rivals, claims Rivian CEO, RJ Scaringe. With the rise of EVs, we have been witnessing countless new players emerging from all corners of the globe. However, I can’t think of too many successful car marques apart from a select few. Rivian definitely belongs to the latter. At present, the R1T and R1S are doing decently on the sales charts. But to cater to a much wider customer base, relatively affordable EVs like the R2 and R3 are necessary.
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Rivian R2 and R3 Will Be Unique
Recently, the Rivian CEO had a detailed interaction on MotorTrend’s InEVitable podcast. In this podcast, he openly chatted about all things Rivian and the EV industry in general. We know that Rivian is pretty excited about the launch of its upcoming range of EVs. These include R2, R3 and R3X. Out of these, the R2 is often compared to the highest-selling EV on the planet, the Tesla Model Y. However, Rivian CEO was quoted saying, “Although it’s slightly smaller than the Model Y, its ability to perform as an SUV is worlds different than a Tesla Model Y.”
He continued, “You can actually take it off-road, you can take it through a river bed, you can do the things you expect from an SUV.” This gives us an unequivocal indication of the capabilities of the R2. On the other hand, while talking about the R3, he remarked, “It’s a hard press to find something that you could compare it to.” It has the heart of a rally car and impressive ground clearance (220 mm) for its size. Finally, he said that the R3X, with its tri-motor configuration, will just be “insanity and something which will pull buyers from things you wouldn’t expect, like hypercars.”
These are some strong statements about the upcoming Rivian R2, R3 and R3X from the CEO himself. Therefore, we should embrace ourselves for an outstanding breed of EVs at relatively affordable prices. The production of the Rivian R2 is planned for early 2026 in Normal. The total capacity by then will be around 215,000 (up from 150,000) units. Furthermore, R2 will account for around 155,000 units out of that with R1T and R1S contributing about 85,000. The R2 will even support Autonomous Driving Capabilities like Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD), confirmed Scaringe.
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Learn Electric Cars Says
As someone who follows the developments in the global EV industry on a daily basis, I feel like Rivian is emerging as a legitimately compelling carmaker. It has established the brand identity well with the R1T and R1S. To achieve profitability and clock monumental sales numbers, affordability is the key. That is exactly what the brand is focusing on at present. Hence, in the next 2-3 years, Rivian will have multiple EVs at a much more accessible price range in comparison to something like the R1. We shall stay on top of further updates regarding any details of the upcoming Rivian R2, R3 and R3X.