R2: Start of Production

The final step before customer deliveries later this spring

By Rivian

April 22^nd, 2026

It feels like only yesterday we were at our South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach, showing the world a vehicle that represented the exciting next chapter for Rivian.

When we revealed R2 in March 2024, the energy was electric. We saw the smiles, heard the questions, and felt the shared excitement for a vehicle designed to be as capable in the mountains as it is in the city.

Since that day, R2 has traveled a long road. We put R2 through its paces in some of the most demanding environments on the planet. From the biting cold of winter testing in the Alaskan tundra to the searing heat of the Arizona desert, our designers, developers and engineers have lived and breathed every millimeter of this vehicle, refining the UI, perfecting the final design and dynamics, ensuring that R2’s spirit stays true to its Rivian DNA.

Today, the atmosphere at our plant in Normal, Illinois, has shifted. The MVBs and test vehicles — recognizable by their unique camouflage wraps — are making way for something even more significant.

Customer R2 production has officially started.

“We are really excited to be producing R2 for our customers,” said Rivian Founder and CEO, RJ Scaringe. “The vehicle is incredible — it’s the result of all the hard work and dedication of the Rivian team. I can’t wait for customers to experience R2!”

Seeing the first customer-ready R2s roll off the line is a milestone that hits differently. These are the actual vehicles that will soon be carrying your gear to the trailhead, navigating your morning commutes, and becoming the backdrop for your family's next great adventure.

This milestone moment for R2 means the manufacturing process has been verified, every weld has been checked, every software string has been validated, and every interior material has been scrutinized to meet the high bar we set for ourselves and for you, our community.

“Building R2 represents a major advance in engineering excellence and manufacturing efficiency, driving meaningful improvements in cost and quality that position Rivian as a leader in the future of transportation,” said Rivian Chief Operations Officer Javier Varela. “We are grateful to every member of our team who has brought this vehicle to life, and we are thrilled to begin sharing it with the world.”

As these first vehicles undergo their final quality and validation checks internally, our focus is sharpening toward the next big horizon: public customer deliveries. We are on track to begin handing over keys to our first customers later this spring.

We’ve often said that the journey is just as important as the destination. The journey of R2 — from a sketch in the studio to a tangible, powerful vehicle ready for the road — has been a collective effort of thousands of hands. We can’t wait to see where your R2 journey takes you.

Reserve your R2 and get updates on production, upcoming events and more, including demo drives in your area, as we get closer to bringing R2 to the road.