Rivian Starts Building the SUV That Could Make or Break the Company
Rivian has begun mass producing its most awaited vehicle yet, the R2 midsize electric SUV that's expected to take the EV maker to the next level.
Despite damages caused by a tornado to the plant in Normal, Illinois earlier in the week, the company has started production of R2 SUVs destined for customers on April 22, noting that deliveries are set to follow later this spring.
After building test prototypes and Manufacturing Validation Builds (MVBs), the factory has shifted to building R2 vehicles for clients. These first vehicles will undergo their final quality and validation checks internally before being shipped to Rivian service centers across the United States.
A Historic Moment for Rivian That Can Shape Its Future
"We are really excited to be producing R2 for our customers. The vehicle is incredible – it's the result of all the hard work and dedication of the Rivian team. I can't wait for customers to experience R2!" - @RJScaringe
— Rivian (@Rivian) April 22, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/R5K09Eufutpic.twitter.com/jfb0IY4xfK
"We are really excited to be producing R2 for our customers," said Rivian Founder and CEO, RJ Scaringe. "The vehicle is incredible - it's the result of all the hard work and dedication of the Rivian team. I can't wait for customers to experience R2!"
Reaching this important milestone means that the R2 manufacturing process has been verified and the plant can churn out customer vehicles. It has quite a big backlog, as Rivian reportedly received well over 200,000 reservations. Now, that doesn't mean Rivian has got 200,000 orders in the bag; a reservation is made with a $100 refundable deposit, so it's pretty easy for a customer to pull out.
The company will have a more accurate picture of R2 demand starting in June, when customers will be invited to configure their R2 vehicles, according to Rivian CFO Claire McDonough's comments to Reuters. The configurator will allow reservation holders to finalize their builds and commit to a firm order. Rivian says it is on track to start deliveries of R2 vehicles to customers later this spring, which likely means sometime in May.
The production start of the R2 is a make or break moment for the company as a successful rollout of the R2, which competes with the Tesla Model Y among many other midsize EVs, can turn the brand from a maker of high-end lifestyle SUVs and pickups into a serious EV player.
McDonough said that once R2 production reaches a higher run rate in 2027, it will cost the company less than half as much to build an R2 as the R1S. The savings will obviously help put Rivian on a firmer path to profit. The EV maker expects to deliver 22,000-23,000 R2s this year if demand remains steady and the production ramp goes as planned.
Loaded Rivian R2 Performance Launch Edition Is the First Trim to Reach Customers
Deliveries will start with the Rivian R2 Performance Launch Edition, a range-topping trim priced at $57,990 that features a dual-motor AWD powertrain rated at 656 horsepower and 609 pound-feet of torque. It uses a 87.9-kWh battery that enables an EPA-estimated 330-mile range.
This launch model is capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed limited to 110 mph.
The R2 Performance Launch Edition is equipped as standard with a semi-active suspension, dynamic lighting, and rear drop glass, among other things. Launch Edition customers also get goodies like an exclusive exterior paint, a unique key fob, and a lifetime subscription to the Autonomy+ package for hands-free driving capabilities.
Following the Launch Edition model, Rivian plans to start production of the $53,990 Premium trim before the end of the year, with the R2 Standard to follow in the first half of 2027 with a starting price of $48,490. The promised $45,000 R2 base model will be the last to arrive, sometime in late 2027.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 11:01 AM.