Rivian posted its strongest quarterly delivery result yet in the third quarter of 2026, helped by the rollout of its more affordable R2 SUV.
According to Rivian’s third-quarter production and delivery figures, the company built 19,751 vehicles and delivered 19,248 during the period. Deliveries were roughly 45% higher than in the same quarter a year earlier.
Rivian did not disclose how many of those deliveries came from the R2, but the quarter marked the model’s first full three-month sales period after deliveries began in June. The company plans to report its full third-quarter financial results on October 29.
R2 is central to Rivian’s 2026 growth plan
The R2 currently starts at just under $60,000 and is intended to reach a broader market thanRivian’ss more expensive R1 lineup. The company expects to deliver between 20,000 and 25,000 R2 vehicles by year-end, with lower-priced versions starting around $45,000 planned for the future.
If Rivian reaches its targets, total 2026 deliveries across the R2, R1 vehicles and commercial electric vans could reach 65,000 to 70,000 units. That would put the company on course for its strongest annual sales performance after several years of deliveries hovering near 50,000 vehicles.
Production capacity is expanding
Rivian currently builds the R2 at its Normal, Illinois factory, where production space was expanded to support the new SUV. The company is also developing a new plant near Atlanta, Georgia, with planned capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles per year and room for further expansion.
The R2 matters not only for volume growth but also for Rivian’s longer-term financial strategy. The company has invested heavily in manufacturing and other infrastructure to support a larger customer base, making stronger R2 sales an important part of its effort to reduce years of losses.
Rivian is also planning an autonomous version of the R2 through its partnership with Uber. The company has increased investment in autonomy and delayed its previous 2027 profitability target as it pursues what it sees as a larger opportunity in robotaxis.
The third-quarter record gives Rivian an early indication that the R2 can meaningfully lift its sales volumes. The next test will be whether the company can maintain that pace as production scales through the rest of the year.
