Citing Robert Joseph Scaringe, Founder and CEO of Rivian, a MotorTrend report suggested that the American startup will launch a range of new passenger EVs after the Rivian R1T and Rivian R1S. It claims that the upcoming models would follow the current nomenclature, meaning that two of them could be Rivian R2S and Rivian R3S SUVs. MotorTrend adds that the upcoming series of models would ride dedicated platforms. Scaringe has confirmed that an R2 product or product line is in the making.
Automotive News reported on April 18,
2022, that the brand is working on a new platform christened ‘R2’ for its next
wave of electric vehicles, many of which are expected to cater to affordable
segments. The publication spoke to Scaringe, who revealed that new electric
motors and a bespoke 800-volt battery were under development in-house. During
Rivian’s Q1 2022 earnings conference call on May 11, 2022, Scaringe confirmed
an R2 platform is in the works. He said the company is using the learnings from
its R1 and RCV platforms in the development. It wants to ensure that the R2
platform is high on affordability, performance, efficiency, and unit economics.
It will borrow many technologies from the R1 and RCV platforms (EDV 700 and EDV
500), including the upcoming single-motor drive unit called Enduro, the
upcoming LFP battery pack, and the next-gen network architecture and associated
family of ECUs.
Moreover, Rivian had filed trademarks for
names like R2T, R2X, R2A, R2C, R2S, and R2R. Given that the R1S is an SUV, it’s
likely that R2S would be a compact or mid-size electric SUV. The R2T could be a
more affordable electric truck alternative to the R1T.
During Rivian’s Q1 2022 earnings conference
call, Scaringe said Rivian R2 production would take place in Georgia. If
everything goes as planned, production will start at Rivian’s new plant in
2025. The U.S. launch may take place the same calendar year. Rivian CFO Claire
McDonough said during the same call that the upcoming factory in Georgia would
have an R2 assembly line with an annual production capacity of 200,000 units.
She indicated that eventually, that figure would double to 400,000 units.
