More than just an SUV? Rivian is working on more R2 variants.

Excitement is building as Rivian prepares to unveil its highly anticipated R2 electric SUV. Following the success of its innovative R1T electric pickup and the three-row R1S SUV, the company is now shifting focus toward producing a more compact and affordable model. The upcoming R2, priced competitively against models like the BMW iX3, is set to launch next year, featuring a base model with a $45,000 price tag and a smaller battery option. In a recent interview with Reuters, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe hinted at further developments in the R2 lineup. "There’s clearly potential for an R2X," he mentioned, emphasizing the possibility of various configurations in the future. However, he was cautious about revealing too many details on upcoming projects. Additionally, Scaringe shared insights about Rivian's ambitions to develop its own lidar sensors in partnership with a Chinese firm. The initial batch of R2s is currently being manufactured at Rivian's facility in Normal, Illinois. Looking ahead, both the R2 and a planned R3 model will also roll off the assembly line at Rivian’s new plant in Georgia, which is projected to commence operations in 2028. This facility, partially funded by a $4.5 billion loan from the Department of Energy, will have the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles annually. Rivian's strategy mirrors that of BMW, suggesting that the company may introduce a wide array of variants based on a single platform. In addition to passenger vehicles, the Georgia plant is set to produce robotaxis for Uber, under a $1.25 billion agreement established in March. Meanwhile, Rivian's existing Normal plant has the ability to manufacture an additional 155,000 R2s each year, along with 60,000 R1s and delivery vans, indicating significant growth potential for the company.