Irvine-based EV maker Rivian has plans to enter Europe next year, with the launch of its new, cheapest SUV R2.
Autocar reported on Friday, citing the brand’s founder and CEO RJ Scaringe, that the company will also be developing right-hand drive vehicles of the upcoming mid-size SUV and expand to the UK.
However, the company has not yet unveiled a timeline for the arrival in Britain.
The news came a few months after Rivian said it is opening a new artificial intelligence and autonomous driving research hub in London — its first facility in the UK.
Rivian developed the R2 SUV with European exports in mind from the start, it’s a smaller sized SUV, with a tech stack jointly developed with German-based Volkswagen Group, through their joint venture.
Speaking with Autocar at the Auto Munich Show earlier this month, Scaringe noted that the technology platform is now highly robust and scalable, supported by significant production volume.
It is shown “not just from our two [cars] but also from the ID1 and through the whole portfolio of Volkswagen Group products.”
According to the chief executive, although the Volkswagen Group deal offers major technological opportunities and advantages, it will not restrict Rivian’s own ambitious manufacturing plans, stating that their goal “is to build many millions of units a year.”
“We’ve often said we’d like to eventually grow in the markets we’re in to at least 10% market share,” he reaffirmed.
Scaringe said the brand would position itself in Europe as “highly aspirational but highly attainable.”
Last week, German media outlet Manager Magazin reported that the two companies are reportedly facing setbacks in their joint venture, with difficulties in adapting the EV maker’s software to VW models delaying the progress on upcoming electric vehicles.
According to the report, Volkswagen employees assigned to the joint venture with Rivian have been largely sidelined in software development, as the EV maker prioritizes the launch of its R2 SUV.
A few weeks ago, RJ Scaringe hinted that the company would be entering the continent via the same direct-to-consumer sales model it already uses in the US.
The CEO noted that Rivian does “have some footprint in Europe today,” referring to its partnership with Amazon, its main backer and for which Rivian is committed to deliver 100,000 co-developed electric delivery vans until 2030.
The vehicle will be produced at Rivian’s main plant in Normal, Illinois — currently undergoing retooling ahead of R2 production — as well as at the upcoming Georgia plant, which is scheduled to begin operations in late 2027.
This Wednesday, Rivian said for the first time that it has produced “hundreds” of R2 “production intent builds” of the R2 SUV, as “more and more R2 vehicles have been out in the wild eating up miles.”
