Rivian announces new electric car and confirms that it will now be an international brand

Rivian, the electric vehicle startup, has announced its upcoming mid-size SUV, the R2, which will start at an approximate price of $45,000, representing about half the cost of its current R1S and R1T models.

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The Chief Financial Officer, Claire McDonough, has stated that the company is working intensively to launch the Rivian R2, which represents a crucial step towards the brand’s international expansion.

The production of the R2 is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026, while the company focuses on expanding its plant in Normal, Illinois, and building a new facility in Georgia, which will start operations in 2028 and will have the capacity to produce up to 400,000 electric vehicles per year.

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Currently, the supply of components for the R2 is approximately 95% complete.

McDonough has emphasized that the R2 will be just the beginning, with plans to develop smaller models like the R3 and R3X, which will be added to the production line at the new plant in Georgia. Although the R2 will have a more affordable price, its quality is not expected to be compromised; the executive assured that it will still embody the “Rivian essence” in terms of advanced technology and a premium driving experience.

Aside from the R2, Rivian has opened orders for its electric van aimed at customers outside of Amazon and has recently collaborated with Ben & Jerry’s to launch an electric ice cream truck. Additionally, the company closed a loan agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy for up to $6.6 billion, which will help them finance their new plant in Georgia and secure a stronger future in the electric vehicle market.

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Rivian has also expressed its interest in bringing the R2 to international markets, including Europe, highlighting its ambition to significantly expand its global production in the coming years.