Rivian has made it pretty clear that the R2 is its Hail Mary.
After the release of its initial electric lineup, Rivian realized it had to make many changes to its launch if it wanted to succeed this time around. And it had to succeed. Rivian had previously lost billions due to high production costs and a negative profit margin on the R1.
After the release of the R2, we are now seeing it’s been largely a success.
R2 sales are a positive
Between July and September 2026, Rivian reported delivering 19,248 vehicles, exceeding predictions. The cheaper, smaller R2 felt more approachable and fun, aimed at backpackers and adventurers who want to go off-roading without sacrificing comfort or mileage.
At this point, Rivian must deliver 23,000 more vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2026 to reach its annual sales target of 65,000 to 70,000. The R2 will need to maintain pretty wild momentum. I think it could be possible, since its sales already saw a 46% jump. However, there are some obstacles.
Issue #1: Recalls
First, there was the recall. Well, two recalls.
The latest R2 recall is for units built between May 18th and August 27th. These models have a 100% chance of having an improperly torqued fastener connected to the high-voltage battery, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s a pretty serious one, with affected EVs possibly losing motive power without warning. AKA you may crash.
The issue was found on September 17th, and a week-long investigation followed. Rivian made a voluntary safety recall and has honestly handled it quite well. All affected vehicles have already been fixed at service centers, but owners will still get a notification by mail by the end of November. Meanwhile, Rivian has already reprogrammed its manufacturing to avoid this issue.
We all know that recalls happen. And if you’re Ford, they happen a lot. They just make headlines when you’re a smaller startup competing with Tesla.
Issue #2: Tesla
Despite the ongoing delay of its second-generation Roadster, Tesla has maintained fan loyalty. Nothing will stop them from loving Tesla, not even lying and crashes and lawsuits.
Rivian delivered 19,248 R2S by the third quarter of 2026, but this doesn’t come close to matching its direct competitor, the Tesla Model Y. Tesla delivered 486,532 vehicles in that period, down only 2% from last year. For this reason, Rivian’s stock still dropped about 27%. Tesla is down 18%. EVs are having a tough year in general, so it’s no surprise.
I, for one, am sick of people comparing the two vehicles. All they have in common is a similar price point and a battery. The R2 is a lot more stylish, fun, and cute. It’s way more capable off the beaten path. I don’t really get what they actually have to compare.
Once Rivian is no longer compared to Tesla, I think it will have more success.
