Rivian R2 Production Starts: First Units Roll Out, But Customers Must Wait Until Spring

Rivian has officially begun production of its highly anticipated R2 electric SUV, marking a significant milestone for the company. However, eager customers will need to exercise patience, as the first deliveries are not expected until later this spring.

On Wednesday, CEO RJ Scaringe personally drove the first R2 off the assembly line at the company’s Normal, Illinois factory. This event followed a tornado that damaged a storage and logistics building at the facility over the weekend, an incident that likely heightened concerns among customers and investors. The rollout was strategically designed to reassure stakeholders about the company’s resilience and progress.

"We are really excited to be producing R2 for our customers."

Despite the production milestone, Rivian CFO Claire McDonough confirmed to Reuters that customers will not be able to configure their vehicle orders until June. According to Electrek, the initial units rolling off the line are destined for Rivian employees.

R2 Pricing and Availability: A Gradual Rollout

Prospective buyers drawn to the R2’s headline-grabbing starting price of $45,000 will need to wait significantly longer than anticipated. Rivian’s phased release strategy includes:

• Launch Package: Starting at $57,990, available first in spring 2024.
• Premium trim: Expected in late 2026, priced at $53,990.
• Standard (RWD long range) variant: Scheduled for the first half of 2027, costing $48,490.
• Base-model R2: The $45,000 version won’t arrive until late 2027.

R2 Specifications and Market Position

The Rivian R2 was unveiled in 2024 as a smaller and lighter alternative to the flagship R1, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Tesla’s best-selling Model Y. Key features of the new two-row SUV include:

• Minimum range of 300 miles per charge across all trims.
• Native NACS charge port compatibility.
• Rapid charging capability: 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.