Rivian is still fighting for survival, but that hasn’t stopped their pie in the sky dreaming. Quite the opposite as the company is envisioning at least five new vehicles. The plans were revealed as part of Volkswagen’s investment in the automaker, but details are limited. However, the company envisions building one additional vehicle on the Gen 2 platform that underpins the redesigned R1T and R1S. There’s not much to go on, but it’s possible the company is working on a redesigned delivery van.
Besides the R2 and R3, Rivian hinted at a
third model based on their upcoming mid-size platform. Since both of the
aforementioned models are crossovers, it makes us wonder if the company is
eyeing a more affordable mid-size pickup. That remains to be seen, but the R2
SUV is slated to be built in Illinois and cost around US$ 45,000. If everything
goes according to plan, R2 deliveries will begin in the first half of 2026.
Rivian has been vague on the R3, but it’s slated to be cheaper than the R2 and
arrive sometime after the model.
That brings us to the final three
vehicles, which will have an “affordable mass market” architecture. They’ll presumably
be the models developed as part of a joint venture with Volkswagen. Speaking of
the latter, Volkswagen is pumping US$ 1 billion into Rivian and could eventually
increase that number to US$ 5 billion. The funds will pave the way for the
establishment of a 50/50 joint venture for the “creation of next-generation
electrical/electronic architecture (so-called E/E-architecture) for electric
vehicles.”
Rivian has said the money will help fund
their “operations through the ramp of R2 in Normal as well as the midsize
platform in Georgia – enabling a path to positive free cash flow and meaningful
scale.” The automaker also noted that Volkswagen’s “breadth of offerings,
global reach, and knowledge of global market requirements is expected to enable
the core technology to reach many more customers in many more places.”
