Rivian has begun customer production of the R2 at its Normal, Illinois plant, with deliveries still expected later this spring. Reservation holders should receive configuration invites in June, and the first trim to launch will be the $57,990 R2 Performance Launch Edition.
Rivian has officially started building customer versions of the R2, marking a major milestone for the company’s next-generation crossover. The first production vehicles are now rolling off the line at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois factory, even after recent weather damage affected part of the plant dedicated to R2 assembly.
In a company blog post, Rivian said it remains on track to begin customer deliveries later this spring. The automaker added that the first units are undergoing final internal quality and validation checks before reaching buyers.
Configuration invites begin in June
Rivian CFO Claire McDonough told Reuters that reservation holders will begin receiving invitations to configure their vehicles in June. That step will move customers from waiting lists to finalized orders as production ramps up.
The R2 is positioned as a smaller, more affordable model than Rivian’s R1 lineup, and it is central to the company’s plan to broaden its customer base. The vehicle is roughly the size of a Tesla Model Y, putting it directly into one of the most competitive segments in the EV market.
Launch Edition leads the rollout
Deliveries will start with the R2 Performance Launch Edition, priced at $57,990. Rivian says this version can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, thanks to a dual-motor setup producing 656 horsepower.
The Launch Edition also claims up to 330 miles of range and includes features such as semi-active suspension, rear drop glass, dynamic lighting, and other premium equipment. It is the highest-spec opening model, giving Rivian a way to showcase the R2 before lower-priced variants arrive.
Lower-cost trims are scheduled later
Rivian plans to expand the R2 lineup over the next two years. A Premium trim is scheduled for late 2026 at $53,990, followed by the R2 Standard in the first half of 2027 at $48,490.
The company’s promised $45,000 version is not expected until late 2027. By then, Rivian expects production efficiencies to be much stronger as output increases.
Why the R2 matters to Rivian
The R2 is more than just another model launch. It is the vehicle Rivian is counting on to move beyond its current image as a niche EV maker focused on expensive trucks and SUVs.
That makes this production start a critical test of Rivian’s manufacturing execution, product quality, and service readiness. If the company can scale the R2 without major reliability or delivery issues, it could dramatically improve Rivian’s standing in the broader EV market.
McDonough said that once the R2 reaches full production rate, it should cost about half as much to build as the R1. That cost improvement could be essential to Rivian’s long-term profitability and growth.
The coming weeks will show whether Rivian can turn the R2 from a promising launch into a smooth, high-volume success.
Why This Matters
The R2 is Rivian’s most important vehicle yet because it is designed to bring the brand into a much larger, more price-sensitive segment. Rivian’s earlier models helped establish its reputation, but the R2 is the one expected to determine whether the company can scale beyond a premium niche.
That matters for the EV market as a whole. A successful R2 launch would give buyers another mainstream electric crossover option and could strengthen competition in a segment that already includes some of the industry’s most important models.
It also matters financially. Rivian has indicated the R2 should be significantly cheaper to build than the R1 at scale, which could improve margins and help the company move closer to sustainable mass-market production.
Key Specs
- Model: Rivian R2
- Production start: Week of April 22, 2026
- Assembly location: Normal, Illinois, USA
- Customer deliveries: Expected later in spring 2026
- Configuration invites: Begin in June 2026
- Launch trim: R2 Performance Launch Edition
- Launch price: $57,990
- 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds
- Horsepower: 656 hp
- Range: 330 miles
- Premium trim: $53,990, late 2026
- Standard trim: $48,490, first half of 2027
- Planned $45,000 version: Late 2027
- Production cost target: About half the cost of the R1 at full run rate
Source: InsideEVs
