Production of smaller Rivian R2 pushed back to 2026
New intel follows previously announced launch push-back for smaller, more affordable electric SUVProduction of the smaller and more affordable Rivian R2 electric SUV range has been pushed back from 2025 to 2026, following the US EV brand’s previous announcement of a 2026 launch.
The intel comes from a thread in the Rivian Owners Forum, where a user posted a screenshot of the latest Auto Forecast Solutions report showing an official production start of January 5, 2026 for the Rivian R2S electric SUV.
A sportier R2R will apparently join the fray as of July 1 that same year, before a facelifted version of the R2S is scheduled to go into production on July 2, 2029.
Each model and version will have a product life of at least 3.5 years, however, the facelifted R2S will evidently have the longest production run at five years.
While Rivian is yet to establish itself in Australia, the R2 line-up is anticipated to be its best-selling and arguably most important model range to date, given its smaller size but bigger market aspirations.
The forthcoming R2 range, which has been confirmed to include a ‘mid-size’ electric SUV but so far not a ute, will debut a cheaper new single-motor powertrain codenamed Enduro, a new Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery and updated electronics, says Rivian.
The R2 is expected to be a direct rival for the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Audi e-tron and an upcoming electric SUV from Volkswagen. If it’s joined by a pick-up derivative, it could rival electric utes like the eventual Ford Ranger and VW Amarok EVs.
All-electric or at least plug-in hybrid versions of the Ranger, Amarok and top-selling Toyota HiLux should be on the market by the time the first R2S rolls off the production line, meaning Rivian won’t have a monopoly on the electrified mid-size ute and SUV segments like it did with the larger R1T and R1S (pictured), which cross swords with full-size electric models from Ford, Chevrolet and, soon, RAM.
Speaking of those models, the same Auto Forecast Solutions report says a generational changeover will happen in 2029 and that the second-generation R1T pick-up and R1S wagon will have an eight-year model life – just like their pioneering predecessors.
Related: Rivian and Mercedes-Benz to co-develop electric vans
Related: WATCH: Rivian R1T showcases off-road and drifting skills
Related: Rivian R1S delivery timing confirmed
Related: Rivian to produce a million EVs a year by 2030
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