Rivian R2: leak tips March 7 launch date alongside controversial exhibition

We've long known that a smaller, cheaper Rivian R2 platform is on the way soon to challenge the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Volvo EX30, and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Recently, an Agenda Report from a Laguna City Council meeting [PDF] indicates that Rivian plans to use a portion of the grass that forms part of the Main Beach Park to "support the product launch" for a worldwide product launch event on March 7.

Rivian apparently plans to exhibit six of its EVs on the grass of the Main Beach Park as part of the launch event between 15:45 and sunset (predicted as 17:54). The main announcement, however, seems to be taking place at the Rivian Theatre, which is just the Laguna Beach Movie Theatre that Rivian repurposed in early 2024.

While California's Laguna Beach City Council seems ready to approve Rivian's exhibition, a number of residents have seemingly opposed the approval in letters and emails [PDF] criticising the commercialisation of the space.

As a reminder, the Rivian R2 platform is rumoured to play host to an electric SUV — presumably the R2S — and possibly another pickup truck, and previous leaks indicated that the new vehicle will have an MSRP of between $40,000 and $60,000 before any US tax incentives come into play.

Whether the R2 platform will have the same off-road capabilities as the R1T is a mystery at the moment. Given Rivian's heavy emphasis on its adventurous spirit, it seems likely that there will at least be some sort of AWD system to make off-roading possible.

The news of a release date for the Rivian R2 platform comes hot on the heels of another leak that claims Tesla will start producing its much cheaper $20,000 Model 2 crossover as soon as 2025. The rapidly-falling prices of EVs signals that the sector is finally entering into the commodity automotive sector.

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