Rivian Sets Stage for R2 SUV Launch With IL Plant Pause And GA Expansion

Rivian will temporarily pause operations at its Normal, Illinois, plant in September as it prepares for mass production of the upcoming R2 SUV.

The three-week pause was confirmed by Rivian CFO Claire Rauh McDonough. The lower-cost EV is expected to launch early next year with a starting price of $45,000. The Rivian R2 is positioned as the company’s most important model to date, with CEO RJ Scaringe calling it the company’s strongest product-market fit.

R2 is Rivian’s pivotal growth model

Executives describe the R2 as central to Rivian’s long-term strategy. During Rivian’s earnings call, Scaringe emphasized its packaging, technology, and value proposition.

The R2 SUV is designed to appeal to a broader customer base than the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, and Scaringe has suggested it could take meaningful market share in the sub-$50,000 EV segment.

The company scheduled two special events for September, including the resumption of construction at Rivian’s $5 billion Georgia plant and the opening of its new East Coast headquarters in Atlanta.

Partnerships and production lessons strengthen Rivian R2 rollout

Since launching the R1T in 2021, Rivian has gained valuable production experience and refined its vehicle technology stack. Insights from the R1T’s production will be leveraged for the R2.

In addition, Rivian’s joint venture with Volkswagen, which was announced in late 2024, has further boosted development. As a result, Rivian’s proprietary software has become compatible with VW platforms, opening up licensing opportunities. With Q2 revenue up 12.5% year-over-year, executives view the Rivian R2 as critical to scaling Rivian’s business to millions of vehicles annually.

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