Rivian’s Secret Plans Might Include A Lot More Than Just The R2 And R3
The company’s founder says R4 and R5 models are on the cards, and even an R6 is possible
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- RJ Scaringe says the Rivian family could eventually include as many as six models.
- Future affordable models may not arrive until the next decade, after the R2 and R3.
- Rivian’s boss has previously complained about the lack of good sub-$50,000 EVs.
Rivian has its sights set on a much bigger future. Although production and sales of the R1S SUV and R1T pickup have leveled off over the past two and a half years, the company is already deep into development of its next generation of vehicles.
The R2, a smaller and more affordable model, is set to enter production next year, followed by the R3, which should arrive around 2028 once Rivian’s new Georgia plant is fully operational. And according to the company’s leadership, this is only the beginning.
Future Lineup Taking Shape
Speaking on the Tosh Show podcast with Daniel Tosh, Rivian chief executive RJ Scaringe confirmed that the lineup is expected to grow well beyond the R2 and R3. In fact, he suggested Rivian could eventually offer as many as six distinct models.
Read: ‘The Day I Flooded Rivian And Cost Them Half A Million’ Ex Worker Says
“We think we’ll probably end up with like, maybe, five or six different vehicles,” Scaringe explained. “So after R1, there’s R2 and R3. And after R2 and R3, there’s R4 and R5. And that’s as far out as our product plan goes today, and what we’re working on, but there may be like an R6. I can’t obviously talk about it here or show it to you… but the R4 and R5 are so cool, that’s the next, next thing after R2 and R3.”
Affordable Mass Market EVs
This isn’t the first time that Rivian has hinted at its expanded product plans. During last year’s investor day, Rivian previewed three potential “affordable mass market” vehicles to launch after the R2 and R3.
All of these vehicles were covered by sheets, hiding their designs, but if they do see the light of day, they’ll benefit from the same electrical architecture and software as other Rivian models, as well as future VW products.
Earlier this year, Scaringe noted that there are “very, very few highly compelling choices,” of EVs that cost less than $50,000, noting this is why Tesla has been able to gain such significant market share.
Rivian will no doubt hope that with more affordable models, it will be able to drastically ramp up deliveries and establish itself as a serious threat to not only Tesla but also legacy automakers, which are also investing heavily into EVs, including GM and Ford.
H/T to Motortrend
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