Rivian has received more than 100,000 pre-orders for its upcoming R2 line, according to a statement made by Tim Fallon, Vice President of Manufacturing, during the company’s Family and Friends Day event at its Normal, Illinois factory on Sunday.
The announcement underscores the growing interest in the new vehicle lineup, which is expected to be a smaller, more affordable alternative to the current R1 models.
See also: Rivian Aims for 155,000 R2 SUVs Annually, Bolstering Production to 215,000 Units
“We’re well over a 100,000 pre-orders for R2, and those continue to climb — and they really climb organically,” Fallon said. “As we really push R1 and R1 gen 2 and continue to get our current product out there, the R2 continues to increase in pre-orders.”
Fallon also highlighted the recent upgrades at the Normal facility that have boosted production capacity by 30 percent. These enhancements are part of Rivian’s preparations for the R2 launch. Additionally, the company is working towards making the facility net-zero emissions, recently beginning wind power generation on-site.
In March, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe revealed that the R2 had amassed over 68,000 pre-orders within 24 hours of its unveiling. The R2 is projected to be priced around $45,000 and Rivian aims to begin deliveries in 2026, followed by the launch of the R3 line.
See also: Illinois Grants Rivian $827 Million for R2 Electric Vehicle Production
Volkswagen has announced a $5 billion investment in Rivian to support the company as it prepares for the R2 launch.
This partnership is expected to aid Volkswagen in developing a software and zonal electronics platform, while Rivian seeks to expand its global market presence through Volkswagen’s network. This follows a previous major investment from Ford, which later sold much of its stake due to underperformance of Rivian’s shares.
