Rivian’s next-gen EV is drawing comparisons to Tesla’s best-selling Mannequin Y. Nonetheless, in keeping with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, its upcoming R2 will likely be “worlds totally different” than the Tesla Mannequin Y. Its R3 will likely be much more distinctive, with few prefer it available on the market.
Scaringe made waves in March after revealing Rivian’s next-gen R2 and R3 autos. Rivian’s R1T and R1S established the model as a real premium EV participant, however its R2 is predicted to take it to attract an excellent greater crowd.
Beginning at $45,000, Rivian’s R2 is priced slightly below the typical new car within the US. In response to the latest Kelley Blue E book knowledge, the ATP of a brand new automotive within the US was $48,644 in June.
Though many media shops are highlighting a “slowdown” within the US electrical car market, EV gross sales are nonetheless rising.
Many automakers had double-digit EV gross sales development within the US within the second quarter in comparison with 2023.
Electrical car gross sales have been up over 11% YOY and 23% from the primary quarter, with a document quantity of 330,463 fashions in Q2. In response to KBB estimates, EVs accounted for about 8% of recent automotive gross sales.
Regardless of this, Scaringe mentioned a “lack of alternative” is holding the market again. Though Rivian’s CEO identified that EV gross sales are rising sooner than the typical, extra availability would assist increase demand. That’s the place Rivian’s R2 and R3 are available in.
Rivian says R2 and R3 will differ from Tesla Mannequin Y
On MotorTrend’s InEVitable podcast Thursday, Scaringe famous there are only a few selections available on the market. For instance, patrons searching for a mid-size electrical SUV have “perhaps two or three good selections.”
A kind of is the Tesla Mannequin Y, Rivian’s CEO mentioned. Scaringe clarified that there are few “compelling” choices underneath $50,000.
In response to Scaringe, most rivals are “following the chief,” releasing Tesla Mannequin Y rivals that find yourself being worse variations.
Rivian appears to vary that with its R2. Scaringe mentioned the Rivian R2 will likely be distinctive from Tesla’s top-seller.
Scaringe added though it’s “barely smaller” than the Mannequin Y, “its skill to carry out as an SUV is worlds totally different than a Tesla Mannequin Y.”
He defined, “You possibly can really take it off-road, you possibly can take it by way of a river mattress, you are able to do the belongings you count on from an SUV.”
And that’s simply the beginning
And that’s simply with R2. With R3, Scaringe defined, “It’s a tough press to search out one thing that you might evaluate it to.” The R3 has the center of a rally automotive and spectacular floor clearance (220 mm) for its measurement.
Then, there’s the tri-motor R3X, which Scaringe boasted “it’s madness.” In response to Scaringe, the R3X will pull patrons from belongings you wouldn’t count on, like hypercars. You possibly can watch the total interview under.
Rivian’s Vice President of Manufacturing Tim Fallon mentioned final month throughout its third annual Household and Buddies Day at its Regular, IL plant that R2 orders are “nicely over 100,000” and climbing.
Rivian is planning to start constructing R2 fashions in early 2026 in Regular. By then, capability is predicted to achieve 215,000, up from round 150,000. The R2 will account for essentially the most output, with round 155,000. In the meantime, R1T and R1S output will likely be round 85,000.
Scaringe mentioned that though Rivian has no plans for robotaxis, the R2 platform helps Autonomy like Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD).
Rivian’s R1 autos will proceed enhancing by way of software program updates, however R2 has “a lot headroom” with superior tech to make it higher over time.
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