Rivian confirmed today that production of the highly anticipated R2 compact SUV has officially begun at its Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility. The R2, which starts at $45,000 before federal tax credits, represents Rivian's push into the mainstream EV market after years of focusing on the larger and more expensive R1 platform.
The company said initial production will ramp slowly, with around 200 units per week expected through May before scaling to full capacity by the third quarter. Early builds are being allocated to reservation holders who placed deposits during the R2's unveiling in March 2024, with over 90,000 reservations currently on the books.
The R2 features a 300-mile EPA-estimated range on its standard battery and an available dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration that pushes range to 340 miles. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe called the production start a pivotal moment for the company as it works toward profitability by late 2026.
