The next few years will be make-or-break for Rivian, a brand still trying to prove it deserves a permanent seat at the EV table. For now, its line-up is limited to two models, the R1S SUV and the R1T pickup, both confined to North America. Sales and production have stumbled rather than soared, and momentum has been hard to come by.

To inject some life into the portfolio, Rivian plans to launch the smaller and more affordable R2 in the first half of 2026. This SUV is being positioned as both a volume-builder and the company’s ticket to international relevance.

Read: Rivian’s R2 Spotted With A Very Interesting Rear Window

Rivian has been planning to grow beyond North America for quite some time, and according to boss RJ Scaringe, it’ll first expand into Europe after the R2’s American launch. The UK, is one of the markets being targeted by the brand, although Scaringe didn’t provide any indication as to exactly when we can expect to see his company’s EVs on the other side of the Atlantic.

A Different Kind of Entry-Level

While recently speaking with Autocar on the sidelines of the Munich motor show, Scaringe described Rivian’s upcoming models as “highly aspirational but highly attainable,” noting that the two qualities rarely align. “Often, when you see the price go down, you see the desirability drop off. But this is what makes our R2 and R3 so interesting: they’re inviting and attainable in their pricing, but they still feel very special,” he said.

It’s likely that the smaller and cheaper R3 will follow in the footsteps of the R2 and will also be sold globally. Moreover, a European launch for Rivian means it will have to start building vehicles in right-hand drive, which will require significant alterations to be made to its factory tooling.

The Numbers That Matter

In the US, the R2 is expected to start at around $45,000, will utilize Rivian’s new midsize platform, and should be available in single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations. A European price tag of between €40,000 and €50,000 is to be expected for the R2, with the R3 undercutting it slightly.

Rivian has also confirmed where the cars will be built. Production of the R2 will be split between a forthcoming multi-billion-dollar facility in Georgia and an expanded line at its existing plant in Normal, Illinois

The ghosts of British motoring past continue to resurface, this time in the form of a pint-sized retro EV from the revived Austin Motor Company. At first glance the Arrow could pass for a vintage roadster, yet it is officially classed as an L7e heavy quadricycle, putting it in the same category as the Citroen Ami and Fiat Topolino urban EVs.

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A prototype was shown back in 2023, but this is our first proper look at the finished production car that just went on sale. Its styling leans heavily on the Austin Seven that debuted in 1922 and went on to be raced by legends such as Bruce McLaren and Colin Chapman.

Classic Cues With A Modern Twist

Key design flourishes include exposed wheels, circular headlamps, a traditional grille, leather bonnet straps, and a tub-shaped body reminiscent of the Morgan Super 3. At just 3.7 metres (145.7 inches) long, the Arrow is shorter than most subcompact hatchbacks, which should make it light on its feet in tight city streets.

The interior is also full-on retro with a wooden steering wheel, leather seats, and analogue dials in the middle of the dashboard. The model is available in both right-hand- and left-hand-drive configurations.

Buyers have plenty of personalization options. The color palette includes eleven shades that can be combined with Nickel or Shadow accents. The company also offers three different finishes for the wheels and seven colors for the leather upholstery.

Austin Motor Company

Small But Spirited

Underneath the nostalgic skin sits a single electric motor delivering 20 hp (15 kW). While that figure sounds comically low, the Arrow weighs only 605 kg (1,334 lbs), allowing it to reach its advertised 100 km/h (62 mph) top speed in brisk 7.8 seconds. In fact, that’s half a second faster than Europe’s base Mazda MX-5 with the 130hp 1.5-liter engine.

Power comes from a 20 kWh battery pack, good for up to 100 miles (160 km) between charges, with a full recharge taking around three hours.

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The man behind the project is Nigel Gordon-Stewart, whose CV includes stints at Lamborghini, McLaren, Lotus, and MG. Speaking on Instagram, he said the Arrow “really does drive rather well… just lots of fun with a nostalgic technology feel… You certainly stand out from the crowd, and it makes EV driving a wonderful and joyous experience.”

How Much Does it Cost?

Deliveries have already started in the UK, with exports to the US and the Middle East on the way. Prices begin at £31,000 ($41,400), positioning the Arrow above the Mazda MX-5, which is listed at £28,585 ($38,200) in Britain. This makes it clear the Arrow is not aimed at the budget end of the market but at buyers looking for a boutique EV that blends charm, individuality, with a nod to Britain’s motoring heritage.

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Few could have predicted just how quickly Chinese automakers would come to dominate the affordable EV market. In less than a decade, brands from the People’s Republic have gone from underdogs to leaders, reshaping global competition so dramatically that legacy carmakers have largely stepped back from the lower-cost segment, according to a new UK report.

Read: China’s Most British Roadster Freshens Up For 2026

The study, published by the FIA Foundation, highlights how the rise of small, budget-friendly EVs from China is pushing European and British manufacturers to concentrate on larger and more premium models instead.

China’s Growing Edge

“China, which now accounts for 27pc of global passenger car sales, has secured a competitive edge in manufacturing smaller EVs, with strengths across key aspects of EV production, including battery supply chains, manufacturing efficiency and software,” the report says. “It means China has evolved from a net importer of passenger cars before 2020 to the world’s largest net exporter.”

According to the report, this has led to European and British brands to cede the affordable car market. Of course, whether or not the car manufacturers themselves would admit this remains to be seen.

While EVs from China have been kept out of the US, they are becoming an increasingly common sight in the UK. Of all the new cars sold in the UK in June, roughly 19,000 of them were made by Chinese brands like MG, BYD, Omoda, and Jaecoo. Currently, there are more than 130 EV models available in the country and of these, 33 are priced under £30,000 ($40,200).

Small Cars, Big Potential

The surge in Chinese EVs could help to combat the swelling size of new vehicles. As noted by the chief executive of the RAC Foundation, Steve Gooding, “Our love affair with Fiesta-sized cars might swiftly be rekindled if more small, keenly priced EV models start coming to market,” he told Yahoo!.

Incentives from the nation’s Department of Transport could help to increase the number of small EVs on local roads. Discounts of up to £3,750 ($5,025) are available for new electric cars and more than 100,000 addition public charging locations are in the works.