Rivian sets June 9 delivery date for new R2 SUV

The automaker Rivian will deliver its first R2 SUVs on June 9, marking a pivotal moment for the company as it transitions toward a larger market. The company has spent the last few months ramping up its efforts to prepare for the release of the R2, which is more affordable and aimed at a larger market than its current R1 lineup of vehicles. The announcement of the June 9 delivery date represents the culmination of months of preparation, as the company seeks to expand its customer base beyond its current R1 lineup. The stakes for this launch are exceptionally high for the company’s leadership. Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe emphasized the strategic weight of the new model, describing the R2 as “maybe the most important thing we’ve launched to date.”

To capture a broader customer base, Rivian is structuring the rollout of the R2 across multiple pricing tiers, gradually introducing lower-priced options over the next few years. The vehicle’s pricing structure and release timeline include:

• An initial trim starting just under $60,000, which will be the first version available to customers when deliveries begin.
• An even more affordable version starting around $45,000, which the company has teased for release late next year, maintaining a price tag that Rivian has promoted since the R2 was first revealed in 2024.
• A standard version starting at $48,490, which Rivian plans to release in 2027.

The pricing strategy reflects Rivian’s effort to transition from its current R1 lineup to more accessible price points. While the initial trim will start just under $60,000, the subsequent releases are planned to lower the entry price over the coming years.

The success of this rollout depends heavily on Rivian’s ability to execute its production plans. The company is betting on an extremely fast ramp-up, aiming to deliver as many as 25,000 vehicles by the end of this year. Achieving this target is critical to the company’s long-term financial strategy. Rivian hopes that the R2 and its hatchback sibling, the R3, will help the company turn a profit for the first time since its founding in 2009. The automaker has not yet achieved profitability in its history, making these new models the primary vehicles for changing its financial trajectory.

Why it matters

Rivian is attempting to scale its manufacturing and reach profitability for the first time since its 2009 founding by moving down-market with the R2 and R3 models.