Rivian Automotive, the US electric vehicle manufacturer, has unveiled its new line-up of its most affordable sport utility vehicles, aiming to challenge the dominance of Elon Musk's Tesla Motors.
The California-based company is hoping the more attractive price points for its R2 and R3 EVs will entice more users, which in turn would prop up a market that has experienced a downturn in the past year.
“Our design and engineering teams are extremely focused on driving innovation into not only the product features but also our approach to manufacturing to achieve dramatically lower costs," RJ Scaringe, founder and chief executive of Rivian, said in a release on its website.
What did Rivian launch?
Rivian introduced three EVs, headlined by the R2, a mid-sized five-seat SUV "optimised for big adventures and every day use".
The other two are the R3 crossover and R3X, the latter of which is the high-performance option.
The design of the EVs are "distinctly Rivian", though with a first and quick glance you might mistake them for Range Rovers with unique headlights. Nevertheless, Rivian describes them as "inviting and iconic" and "immediately recognisable".
How much are Rivian's new EVs?
The R2 is expected to start at about $45,000 and while the R3 models' prices have not yet been revealed, Rivian said they would be even lower than the R2 – which would make them the company's most affordable options by far.
That would be more than a third cheaper compared with the R1T, which starts at $69,900, and less than half the price the R1S, whose base model is $91,000, according to current prices on its website.
For comparison, market leader Tesla – which introduced several price cuts to prop up demand – is offering the Model Y and Model 3 from $36,490 and $35,990, respectively, but that's after federal tax credit and other incentives in the US. The Model X and Model S start at $68,590 and $71,090, respectively.
Rivian is now accepting reservations for the R2 for a refundable deposit of $100.
When will the R2 and R3 be available?
Rivian previously announced the R2 would be available in 2026, without any specifics. With the launch of the new EVs, however, the company said deliveries for the R2 were now expected in the first half of that year.
Deliveries of the R3 and R3X, on the other hand, will start after the R2, "to ensure a smooth launch and rapid ramp of R2". All EVs will be available outside the US following their North American launch, the company said.
How many R2s will be manufactured?
While Rivian did not specify how many R2s will be made, it said it will increase production at its hub in Normal, Illinois, to 215,000 units a year.
That would be a significant jump from the 57,232 EVs it manufactured – 50,122 of which were delivered – in 2023, Rivian said in its full-year report, also released on Thursday.
The 2023 figures for both manufacturing and deliveries, however, were more than double – 147 per cent – compared with 2022, it said.
For comparison, Tesla manufactured 1,845,985 EVs in 2023, delivering 1,808,581. Production of EVs other than its Model 3 and Model Y alone, which hit 70,826, outpaced Rivian's 2023 total.
Rivian’s production plant in Georgia will also play a key role in its plans, remaining "an extremely important part of its strategy to scale production of R2 and R3", the company said.
What are the special features of Rivian's new EVs?
The R2 and R3 EVs have three motor variants – single, dual and tri – with the quickest configuration delivering zero to 97kph in under three seconds.
Its structural battery, an all-new 4695 cell, promises about 483km on a single charge, offering "significant improvements in energy density and output". Its fast-charging capabilities can power the vehicles from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes.
Rivian said it also boosted its self-driving platform as the R2 and R3 have a new "perception stack" that has 11 cameras, five radars and a "more powerful compute platform", providing "dramatically enhanced autonomous capabilities", supported by frequent software updates.
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele
Company%20profile
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Company%20profile
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
At a glance
Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
MO
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The Dark Blue Winter Overcoat & Other Stories From the North
Edited and Introduced by Sjón and Ted Hodgkinson
Pushkin Press
