Rivian to Add a Second Shift to R2 Production Line by the End of September

• The R2 is the brand’s smallest and most affordable model to date.

• More than 200,000 reservations have reportedly been received for the R2.

• Deliveries only began at the start of June.

Only about two months after production of the new R2 electric SUV started, Rivian is already getting ready to add a second shift to its Illinois assembly line.

Indeed, the small EV maker is hoping to move the R2 production from one shift to two by the end of September in order to keep up with demand.

According to Rivian’s statements, more than 200,000 reservations have been made for its newest model, which is close to, if not higher than, the total number of vehicles the company has produced over the last four and a half years.

This significant customer interest for the R2 comes mainly from its price, which is close to that of rivals like the Tesla Model Y, making it the brand’s first somewhat affordable product. Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but in the United States, the R2 starts at $44,990 and runs up to $57,990 for the top-of-the-line Performance model, which is the only one available at the moment.

A mid-trim Premium model will join the lineup later this year priced at $53,990, and the entry-level Standard will be added somewhere in 2027, which is also when Canadian sales of all three trim levels are expected to begin.

In addition, the Rivian R2 keeps the larger R1S and R1T’s off-roading abilities and outdoorsy image, which is rare in the electric segment.

Indeed, most EVs are aimed at eco-conscious buyers and are styled to maximize efficiency.

Instead, the Rivian R2 is boxier and features a higher ground clearance, making it look more rugged than its main rivals.

Despite this, the company still claims competitive range figures, with the SUV being capable of driving between 440 and 530 kilometres on a charge, depending on the powertrain configuration.

Rear Wheel Drive and all-wheel drive variants will be offered once the full R2 lineup becomes available next year.

While the second shift will undoubtedly help Rivian increase its production rate and catch up to demand, it might not be enough to clear its back log of orders, especially since the Illinois factory also has to produce the still relatively popular R1S and R1T.

This should be resolved in the next few years, however, as the automaker is building a second factory in Georgia, which should add an annual production capacity of 300,000 units once it comes online in late 2028.

The company will then launch the R3 family of compact electric SUVs, which, combined with the R2, should help it reach profitability after years of operating in the red.

In order to prepare for the addition of the second shift in Illinois, Rivian is currently working with hundreds of suppliers in order to coordinate an increase in their own production with the goal of avoiding parts shortages or surplus during the first few weeks of two shift operation.

We should see whether this planning paid off in the next month or two.

Source: InsideEVs