Rivian R2 Pre-Orders Surge Past 100K in Record First Week

Rivian's R2, the company's more affordable electric SUV starting at $45,000, has exceeded 100,000 pre-orders in its first week of availability. The milestone represents a significant vote of confidence in the company's future.

The R2 is roughly 15% smaller than the R1S, but Rivian has managed to retain the adventurous DNA that made its first products successful. The vehicle offers up to 480 km of range, standard all-wheel drive, and the same rugged styling cues, including the signature pill-shaped headlights and integrated flashlight in the door.

Inside, the R2 focuses on maximizing usability. Both the first and second rows fold completely flat, creating a space large enough to accommodate an air mattress for car camping. A new steering wheel with integrated haptic scroll wheels aims to improve the user interface, addressing complaints about the overly touch-reliant controls in the R1 vehicles.

Production is expected to begin in early 2026 at Rivian's new factory in Georgia, which is being built with a focus on cost efficiency. The company says it expects to achieve positive gross margins on the R2 from the first quarter of production, thanks to a vastly simplified electrical architecture and a 4695 cylindrical battery cell format that is cheaper to manufacture.

Investors reacted positively to the pre-order news, with Rivian's stock rising 12% in after-hours trading. However, the real test will be converting these fully refundable $100 deposits into actual sales when production scales. If successful, the R2 could be the Model 3 moment for Rivian, transforming it from a niche player into a mainstream automaker.