Rivian CEO confirms development of R2 pickup and R2X variants alongside midsize SUV
RJ Scaringe indicates work is underway on new vehicle combinations and in-house lidar production, though official announcements remain pending
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has confirmed that the company is actively developing additional variants of its upcoming R2 platform, specifically an R2 pickup truck and an R2X. While the midsize R2 electric SUV remains the primary focus for the near term, these new variants are in the works to expand the platform's utility and offer greater flexibility to consumers.
During an interview with Reuters, Scaringe explicitly mentioned the possibility of an R2X and various combinations, noting that the company wants to be careful not to officially announce the program yet. This strategic move suggests Rivian is aiming to replicate the success of its R1 platform, which established the firm's reputation for electric adventure vehicles with the R1T pickup and R1S SUV.
In parallel with vehicle development, the firm is exploring the production of its own lidar sensors in collaboration with a Chinese partner. This initiative aligns with broader industry trends in artificial-intelligence and autonomous driving technologies, aiming to reduce reliance on external suppliers for critical sensing hardware.
Manufacturing operations for the R2, R3, and R3X will be split between the existing facility in Normal, Illinois, and a new plant in Georgia. The Normal factory will continue to build the initial R2 models alongside R1s and delivery vans, maintaining a capacity to produce another 155,000 R2s annually.
The new Georgia manufacturing facility is scheduled to open in 2028 with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles. Funded partly by a $4.5 billion Department of Energy loan, the plant is intended to produce the R2, a smaller R3, an R3X, and robotaxis for Uber under a separate agreement.
This expansion represents a significant increase in Rivian's manufacturing footprint, aiming to scale production well beyond the current capabilities of the Illinois site. The Georgia plant will also house production for robotaxis for Uber, following a $1.25 billion deal signed in March, further diversifying the company's output.
