Rivian’s R1S is a full-size SUV that shares a platform with the R1T electric pickup truck. (Image source: Rivian)
The latest in the slow drip of information about Rivian’s second electric vehicle platform reveals that the vehicle’s design is set to make its debut in 2024. What we know so far is that the R2 platform will play host to a crossover SUV that is set to take on the likes of the Ford Bronco, topping out at a price of US$60,000. Given Tesla’s recent Model 3 and Model Y pricing, it looks like tough competition lies ahead for the startup EV maker.
Following up on the positive reception of the Rivian R1T and R1S, the electric vehicle startup is planning to expand its portfolio with a new EV platform that will cater to the compact SUV segment. The new platform has come to be known as R2 internally, and by the automotive community, but the naming scheme isn’t solidified yet. In a recent Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference call, Rivian’s CFO, Claire McDonough, revealed that the new EV platform will be unveiled at some point in 2024 as a compact crossover.
The new R2 SUV will undercut the existing R1T and R1S significantly, with a price range of US$40,000 to US$60,000, depending on the trim. Given that Rivian makes its vehicles in the US, the new compact SUV will likely qualify for at least some of the US federal EV tax incentives, offering strong competition to the likes of Tesla’s Model Y, although the release date is still years away, and the landscape is almost certainly going to change before then.
After the initial explosion of premium electric vehicles, there’s been a shift in the market to focus on more affordable EVs, like the newly-announced Volvo EX30 with its US$35,000 MSRP. Tesla has also had a substantial shift in its pricing structure, with the Model 3 now costing under US$30,000 after incentives in some states. Rivian’s CFO also mentioned that the company would investigate releasing the new R2 platform vehicles in other markets, where government subsidies and incentives play a less significant role in the pricing debate.
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Julian van der Merwe – Magazine Writer – 222 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2022
My interest in tech started in high school, rooting and flashing my Motorola Defy, but I really fell down the rabbit hole when I realised I could overclock the i7 930 in my Gigabyte pre-built PC. This tinkering addiction eventually lead me to study product design in university. I think tech should improve the lives of the people using it, no matter the field. I like to read and write about laptops, smartphones, software and trends in technology.
Julian van der Merwe, 2023-06-22 (Update: 2023-06-22)
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