Rivian continues to ramp with R2 even as EV market growth slows — SkimNews
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- Rivian produced 19,751 vehicles and delivered 19,248 in Q3 2026, a 58% quarter-over-quarter surge from Q2's 12,194 deliveries, with the R2 contributing to the acceleration.
- Through the first three quarters of 2026, Rivian has delivered 41,807 vehicles and reaffirmed its full-year guidance range of 65,000–70,000, requiring roughly 23,000–28,000 deliveries in Q4.
- The lower-cost R2 is likely responsible for most of the growth, though Rivian is selling only the higher-cost Performance version through the end of 2026, with a Premium version slated for late 2026.
- Rivian pushed back its Lidar suite rollout to 2027, a delay from the original late 2026 target.
- The broader US EV market has contracted: EV share of light-duty vehicle sales hovered at 6%–7% in 2026, down from a peak above 10% in 2025, following the loss of federal purchase credits in late 2025 and elevated interest rates.
- Rivian will release full Q3 2026 financial results after market close on October 29, 2026, followed by an investor webcast and Q&A at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Why it matters: Rivian is bucking a contracting US EV market — where share has fallen from above 10% to 6%–7% — by nearly doubling quarterly deliveries since Q1, largely on the R2. Hitting the 65,000–70,000 full-year target now hinges on sustaining that R2 ramp through Q4 while the higher-margin Performance trim keeps ASPs near flagship R1 levels.
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