Rivian introduced the second-generation R1S and R1T last summer and now the company has unveiled the new quad-motor variants. They’re high-performance EVs that start at $115,990 for the truck and $121,990 for the SUV.

Designed to be more powerful and capable than ever before, the models are equipped with four electric motors that produce a combined output of 1,025 hp (764 kW / 1,039 PS) and 1,198 lb-ft (1,622 Nm) of torque. This enables the R1T to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 2.5 seconds, while the R1S can accomplish the same task a tenth of a second later.

More: 2025 Rivian R1S Is An Imperfect But Promising Look At The Future

Rivian was coy on full details, but claimed both variants have an EPA-estimated range of up to 374 miles (602 km). That increases to 400 miles (644 km) in Conserve mode, which disengages the rear drive unit. However, Rivian’s configurator lists less impressive ranges of 338 and 360 miles (544 and 579 km) for the Launch Editions.

Putting that aside, Rivian said the vehicles are equipped with their newest drive units. Each features two electric motors that were designed and manufactured in-house. The company added the “rear drive unit has a larger gear ratio and is built for maximum performance and torque delivery, while the front drive unit is optimized for maximizing efficiency at cruising speeds.”

Rivian went on to say the new motors are oil-cooled, which helps to significantly improve their thermal performance during “high-torque, low-speed driving such as rock crawling.” They also help to improve efficiency during high-speed driving on highways.

Familiar Looks With A Handful Of Special Touches

Besides the new powertrains, there isn’t much to report as first- and second-generation R1s look virtually identical. That being said, the Quad variants feature an Ascend interior with quilted seats, extended stitching, and fancier door panels. They’re joined by plaid accents, bronze flourishes, and new fabric on the front seat backs. Other highlights include Brown Ash, Walnut, or Driftwood trim.

Moving outside, there are new 20- and 22-inch wheels that are backed up by Laguna Beach Blue brake calipers. Customers can also get Dark or Dune Satin Graphite wheels wrapped in 34-inch all-terrain tires.

Other highlights include a glass roof and a standard Darkout Package. They’re joined by an air compressor and underbody protection. More notably, there’s a rear-mounted Gear Guard mascot with “wind-swept hair” that hints at the vehicle’s performance.

Rivian is throwing in a number of high-tech toys including a Launch Mode with a Launch Cam. As the name implies, it records your Launch Mode adventures and then displays real-time stats when showing replays in the Videos app.

Quad-Specific Features Including A Kick Turn Function

More interestingly, Rivian announced a RAD Tuner is coming in September. It promises to give drivers “better control over their vehicle’s dynamic behavior” as there will be “intuitive sliders” that can be used to create personalized and savable driving modes. These can be built from scratch or based on presets such as Sport or Rally mode.

A Kick Turn function is also coming this fall and it promises to make tight off-road turns easier. As the company explained, “When you engage Kick Turn, your R1 Quad smartly adjusts the power to the inside wheels, slowing them down or even reversing them. This precise control over wheel slip ensures your vehicle turns exactly as quickly and smoothly as you intend.”

A more useful addition is a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which will come standard on every 2026 R1. It provides easy access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, although Quad-Motor variants will also come with a complimentary CCS adapter.

Launch Edition Arrives First

To celebrate the introduction of the new Quad, Rivian has announced a Launch Edition. It offers an exclusive Launch Green exterior and special badging on the dashboard. Buyers will also find added equipment including a Camp Speaker, a Gen 2 key fob, and lifetime access to Connect+ as well as the Rivian Autonomy Platform+.

The Launch Editions are unsurprisingly more expensive as pricing starts at $119,990 for the R1T and $125,990 for the R1S. The special edition will also be offered in Canada for $196,990 CAD and $207,990 CAD.

Deliveries of the R1 Quad will begin later this month and the initial focus is on Launch Editions. Rivian’s website shows customers can expect them to be available in two to three weeks.

The Rivian R1S and R1T are both great EVs, but it appears the carmaker is starting to learn that there are only so many people willing to spend over $70,000 for one. Recently released sales data show that Rivian’s deliveries of new vehicles declined significantly in the second quarter of the year, and signal that the company needs the smaller R2 and R3 to enter production.

Rivian has stated that during the April-June period, it produced 5,979 vehicles at its plant in Normal, Illinois, and subsequently delivered 10,661 cars. This represents a 22.7 percent decline from the same quarter in 2024. The 5,979 EVs built by Rivian this quarter were also significantly less than the previous year’s 9,612.

Read: Rivian Recalls Thousands Of Cars For A BMW Feature No One Asked For

It must be noted, though, that the company itself cut down production as it prepared its factory to start building the 2026MY R1T and R1S.

Goodbye Tax Credits

Things could get harder for Rivian before they get better. The federal EV tax credit of $7,500 will officially end on September 30, effectively increasing pumping up prices for all eligible EVs by that amount. While Rivian’s had not been eligible for this credit, customers didn’t buy one outright but leased it could benefit from the full $7,500. With the new legislation going into effect, this credit loophole is being closed. In any case, the American EV maker expects to deliver between 40,000 and 46,000 vehicles by the end of 2025.

If there’s a small bit of good news for the brand it’s that on June 30 it received a $1 billion equity investment from the Volkswagen Group. That’s part of their $5.8 billion agreement to collaborate on a joint technology venture and to roll out Rivian systems across the VW range.

The company will hope to grow production and deliveries in 2026. The smaller R2 series is scheduled to hit the production line next year and promises to bring the company’s models within reach of many more shoppers.

As Rivian prepares to kick off production of its more affordable R2 series next year, it is making some tough staffing decisions . More than 100 salaried employees at its Normal, Illinois, facility are being let go, with most of the cuts affecting the manufacturing team.

While the layoffs are part of the company’s broader effort to streamline operations, the news has opened the door for another electric vehicle startup to step in. Scout Motors, a new EV brand launched by Volkswagen in the US market, is taking advantage of the opportunity. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, it is actively courting the newly displaced talent.

As Autoblog noticed, shortly after the layoffs were announced, Scout Motors’ head of logistics, Jacopo Marzetti, took to LinkedIn to express support for the affected Rivian workers, encouraging them to consider applying for positions at Scout. While Rivian hasn’t disclosed the exact number of job cuts, TechCrunch reports that around 140 positions are being eliminated and can, therefore, apply for a job at Scout.

Read: These Are The New Scout Terra Truck And Traveler SUV

According to Rivian, the layoffs are being made “as part of an ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency for R2.” Crain’s Chicago Business adds that “affected employees are eligible for rehire and encouraged to apply to other open positions within Rivian.”

A look at Scout Motors’ career page reveals it has 133 current vacancies. Some of these positions are crucial in engineering, focusing on body systems, drive systems, and energy systems. It’s also seeking vehicle software and electrical engineering staff, as well as specialists in logistics.

Most of the positions are in Columbia, South Carolina, the location of Scout’s forthcoming factory. There are also several positions available in Fremont, California, as well as at the brand’s innovation center in Novi, Michigan.

Shared DNA, but Key Differences

Former Rivian employees will bring valuable expertise to the Scout brand. Just like Rivian did, Scout is launching with an electric pickup and an electric SUV. However, the VW-owned brand is also readying range-extended models, something that Rivian doesn’t do. Even so, like Rivian, Scout’s models promise to be rugged and perfect for those with an adventurous spirit.

A key differentiator will be price. The Scout models will be priced from as low as $50,000 after incentives. By comparison, the Rivian R1T and R1S start at $69,900 and $75,900, respectively.

The owners of 2025 Rivian R1T and R1S models in the US may start being confused with BMW drivers after it was revealed that some of the brand’s EVs may have faulty turn signals. This problem has forced the automaker to issue a recall in the United States for almost 28,000 vehicles.

According to Rivian, the issue lies in one or both of the front turn signals failing to light up or flash as they should, which, unsurprisingly, isn’t exactly up to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The culprit? Turn signals sourced from Myotek in Farmington Hills, Michigan, which may have been improperly manufactured.

Read: VW’s Future EVs Might Run On A Platform It Didn’t Even Build

It’s unclear what may have been done wrong during the manufacturing of the turn signals, but they could suffer some kind of “internal failure.” If one or both of the turn signals stop working, a message will be displayed on the instrument cluster. The remaining turn signals will also start blinking twice as fast as they should, and the turn signal sound will accelerate.

A total of 27,882 vehicles are involved in the recall. These consist of R1S models manufactured between April 29, 2024, and May 13, 2025, as well as R1Ts that were built from July 10, 2024, to May 13, 2025. Rivian says it stopped using the suspect front turn signals on May 13.

An investigation into the problem was initiated in February before Rivian decided a recall was necessary at the start of June. It isn’t aware of any accident or injuries caused by the fault, but it could prove to be a nuisance for both owners and other motorists.

Owners will be notified of the recall starting July 25, and dealerships will inspect the affected vehicles, replacing the turn signals if needed.

It’s the sort of issue that’s unlikely to cause major headaches, but one that’s definitely irritating enough to warrant a fix. Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn into a flash of trouble.

Rivian’s collaboration with Volkswagen might just be one of the most consequential pairings in today’s EV landscape. It brings a much-needed cash boost for Rivian and, in return, gives VW access to some of the most compelling electric vehicle software and zonal architecture currently in development. Now, a key Rivian executive has made it clear that the partnership may be even more pivotal for VW than initially expected.

Read: Next VW Golf EV Will Ride On Rivian’s Electric Architecture

Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s chief software officer and co-head of the Rivian-VW joint venture, recently spoke with Yahoo! and revealed that all future EVs from VW will use the same platform as the American brand’s upcoming R2 series. Evidently, the German giant using its partner’s know-how on EVs is the best way to move forward.

VW EVs Will Adopt Rivian’s Scalable Software Platform

“R2 is the platform that will underpin actually all future EV products from VW,” Bensaid said. “It’s really that modular, scalable technology stack that we will take into VW brands. We will do it in a way where we will still allow different brands to express their own identity. Each brand will have its own UI, look and feel, their own suspension tuning, but underneath the guts of the vehicle, will be optimized from the same technology and software architecture.”

Importantly, the R2 platform that Bensaid is referring to appears to be limited to the “technology stack” and not necessarily the physical platform itself. VW is already deep into the development of its in-house SSP architecture that has been confirmed to replace the current MEB and is set to be used by the next-generation electric Golf and all-electric T-Roc.

Multiple Platforms Still in Play for VW

At the same time, VW is working with Chinese automaker Xpeng on a separate project. The platform, known as China Electrical Architecture (CEA), is designed to significantly cut costs compared to the MEB. VW expects it to lower production expenses by up to 40 percent, which could be a crucial step in making its EVs more price-competitive in China.

“R2 is an evolution of the architecture that we introduced with our [R1] Gen2 vehicles, and there’s a ton of lessons learned that went into how we make the R2 from a technology standpoint, from engineering [to] … manufacturing,” Bensaid added. “That is allowing us to really not only make progress, but we’re extremely happy with the maturity of R2 compared to where R1 was.”

Production of the Rivian R2 is currently scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, and it will be followed by the smaller, more affordable R3 lineup. With VW committing to the same software backbone, both brands are banking on the idea that a shared foundation can deliver scale, speed, and flexibility across a wide range of electric vehicles.

Rivian was supposed to be the new-age automaker that could finally go toe-to-toe with Tesla. However, while Tesla sold nearly 1.8 million vehicles last year, Rivian managed around 50,000, barely enough to register as a rounding error on Tesla’s sales report. To have any shot at closing that canyon, Rivian needs to get its more affordable R2 and R3 models on the road quickly. But price isn’t the only hurdle.

A Demographic Rivian Can’t Ignore

According to a recent study by S&P Global, Rivian also needs to do a better job connecting with Asian-American buyers in the United States. Through the first quarter of this year, Asian households accounted for approximately 7.2 percent of total new car registrations, but for Tesla, this figure rises to a remarkable 27.2 percent . They also accounted for 12.7 percent of all EV sales, excluding Rivian and Tesla.

That’s a clear pattern. Asian-Americans are buying EVs in significant numbers, and a large share of them are choosing Tesla.

Read: Rivian’s Secret Stockpile Could Be Its Key To Defeating Tariffs

However, according to S&P Global, just 13.7 percent of Rivian’s sales go to Asian households. One possible explanation is that one of Rivian’s only two models currently on sale is a pickup truck. Data shows that Asian buyers account for just 2.3 percent of all full-size pickup sales in the U.S.

Even among those who are shopping for electric pickups, Rivian still comes up short. The Tesla Cybertruck, polarizing as it is, seems to be faring better with this demographic. About 24 percent of Cybertruck sales are to Asian buyers, compared to just 8 percent for the Rivian R1T. So it’s not just about the body style. Tesla’s appeal clearly extends deeper.

Can It Be Done?

Brand perception might be playing a major role here. Asian-American buyers seem to gravitate toward brands with a strong premium or tech-forward image. Just look at the numbers: 28.3 percent of Mercedes EQS SUV sales and 25.5 percent of BMW iX sales go to Asian households. Tesla is in that same league, with Asian buyers making up a full 33 percent of Model X sales.

For Rivian to break through, it’s not enough to be different or electric, as it needs to be desirable in the same way these established brands are. That means competing not just on specs, but on image.

The smaller R2 and R3 will also prove to be extremely important for Rivian’s expansion ambitions in the country, as they’ll appeal to a broader range of buyers. However, Rivian will need to be careful to ensure they remain well-equipped and feel premium, or else they may alienate one of their most important group of customers.

For most people, a small parking mishap is more of a nuisance than a real problem. But when your vehicle is packed with sensors, custom parts, and carries a price tag north of $65,000, a light tap can spiral into something much more stressful. That’s exactly what happened to one Rivian R1S owner, whose seemingly minor accident now has him worried the SUV could be totaled.

The incident happened when the driver accidentally backed into a parked UPS truck. “I thought I was looking at its shadow in the camera,” the driver wrote on Reddit. To their credit, it appears as though they stopped quickly after making contact.

Small Damage, Big Anxiety

The rear light bar is cracked and the tailgate has a golf ball-sized dent as well. How on earth could someone worry that this is enough damage to total an SUV worth north of $65,000? Well, it’s a common concern for EV owners in this particular community. Almost exactly a year ago, we told you about a Rivian R1T with damage to the rear corner of its truck bed.

More: Rivian Owner’s DIY Repair Saves Thousands After Mishap And Teaches Us A Lesson

The repair bill ended up being $21,149.16. An R1S owner in the comment section showed off their own repair bill of $10,803.65 for an upper C-pillar accident that narrowly avoided cracking the glass. Despite what looks like less than a square foot of damage, the labor alone was $2,322.

Things might be improving for Rivian owners, though. In another incident from February, we see damage that appears almost identical to that of this new case. That accident earlier this year cost $7,490.34. On top of that, another owner showed us in March how they saved thousands by using pointless dent repair (PDR) and their own skills.

Also: Can You Believe This Rivian R1T Damage Repair Cost $21,000?

Others suggested in the comments that this owner go the same route. Light bars like the one he damaged are available on the second-hand market and PDR can cost as little as a few hundred bucks. One guessed that the repair costs through a certified shop would be around $15,000 which, while a considerable amount, wouldn’t be totally shocking for a Rivian.

Of course, it’s always possible the original poster is being a bit tongue-in-cheek. Still, it’s a reminder that even a light bump in a high-tech EV can turn into a surprisingly complicated and expensive process.

Photo Reddit/u auptown

Rivian has revised its 2025 delivery forecast, blaming a shifting global trade environment that has been heavily influenced by Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. President. In a similar vein, Lucid is acknowledging rising costs due to tariffs but is holding firm on its production targets, expecting to produce 20,000 vehicles this year.

Read: Rivian’s Secret Stockpile Could Be Its Key To Defeating Tariffs

During the announcement of its first-quarter 2025 financial results, Rivian revealed a notable increase in gross profit, at $206 million to be exact. This marks the company’s second consecutive quarter of profitability, a significant milestone for the fledgling American EV manufacturer. It also makes Rivian eligible for a $1 billion investment from the Volkswagen Group, part of a broader partnership between the two companies.

Rivian’s First-Quarter Progress

The EV startup manufactured 14,611 vehicles in the first quarter, delivering 8,640 of them to customers. The company continues to make strides with its small R2 model, now building validation prototypes while expanding its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois.

The carmaker pointed out that while all its vehicles are manufactured in the U.S. and most of its materials either come from the US or are USMCA-compliant, the effects of tariffs, “evolving trade regulations,” and other policy changes have forced it to revise its delivery forecast.

Rivian now expects to deliver between 40,000 and 46,000 vehicles this year, down from an earlier projection of 46,000 to 51,000 vehicles. This adjustment means a potential reduction of up to 5,000 vehicles, equating to a 10% drop at the higher end of the original forecast and a 13% decline at the lower end.

On top of that, Rivian estimates that tariffs could add thousands of dollars to the cost of each vehicle. However, the company does appear to have one ace up its sleeve: a stockpile of batteries, which, according to reports, it’s been quietly accumulating since before the election. This stash could serve as a buffer against the pricing pressures triggered by Trump’s auto tariffs.

“This quarter we hit our second consecutive gross profit and our highest gross profit to date at $206 million,” added company founder and chief executive RJ Scaringe. “We have continued to make significant progress on R2, including vehicle validation builds underway and our Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility expansion on track.”

Despite Slow Start, Lucid Aims High

Meanwhile, Lucid wrapped up Q1 by building 2,212 vehicles, excluding 600 currently being shipped to Saudi Arabia. The company also delivered 3,109 vehicles during the quarter, posting $235 million in revenue. Despite the ongoing challenges, Lucid ended the quarter with a healthy liquidity position of $5.76 billion and is still on track to build approximately 20,000 vehicles this year.

Automakers across the industry are scrambling to navigate Donald Trump’s tariffs, and some are getting particularly creative in their strategies. Rivian, for example, has apparently taken a refreshingly proactive stance. Sources with knowledge of the situation say the automaker is sitting on a stockpile of batteries that it’s been buying up since before the election even happened.

According to a Bloomberg report, Rivian made a savvy move by locking down a stash of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells from China’s Gotion High-Tech Co. well before the election, with the goal of powering its Amazon-bound delivery vans. After the political dust settled, the company then teamed up with Samsung SDI to import a sizable batch of battery cells from South Korea, hoping this would keep production rolling for its R1T pickup and R1S SUV models.

Read: Trump Eases Auto Tariffs With 85% Rule While Buyers Brace For Sticker Shock

The strategic move serves as a buffer against potential pricing pressures induced by Trump’s new tariffs. While recent revisions to the tariff plan offer some relief, they still pose significant challenges for automakers relying on international supply chains. That can heavily impact companies like Rivian who need to import batteries to make every vehicle in their lineup. Notably, Samsung SDI said a week ago that the tariff war would make it more expensive to build EVs.

For now, Rivian has bought itself a little more breathing room before it has to worry about raising prices. In the meantime, it’s also gearing up for the launch of its smaller R2 SUV. With this new vehicle, the company plans to switch to 4695-format cells from LG Energy Solution. The initial production will take place in Korea, but Rivian has plans to move operations to LG’s new Arizona facility in Queen Creek. Even without the tariff issues, that move helps Rivian better align with the Inflation Reduction Act’s requirements.

Whether this is a stroke of logistics genius or just plain survival instinct depends on how you read the political winds. Either way, Rivian’s battery strategy gives it a short-term cushion while it scrambles to localize its supply chain before the tariffs squeeze even tighter. Of all the different strategies we’ve seen automakers employ, this is the first time one has proactively bought up supplies to this degree. 

In the end, Rivian’s proactive approach might just be the thing that keeps it on track, at least until the tariff storm blows over.