Rivian delivers the first R1S electric SUVs.

Rivian's CEO and CFO received the first two production R1S SUVs.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 | Chimniii Desk

Rivian disclosed its plans for a new $5 billion plant in Georgia last week in conjunction with the publishing of its third-quarter 2021 shareholder letter, which contained information about the EDV Amazon delivery van, production numbers for the R1T pickup, and more. Additionally, the letter stated that Rivian manufactured the first two units of its R1S SUV, which the company confirmed were delivered to clients on Monday.

Rivian staff received the first two R1S units, specifically CEO RJ Scaringe and SFO Claire McDonough. According to Rivian, the SUVs were transported to the brand's Normal, Illinois, facility, which also produces the R1T, R1S, and EDV. Unsurprisingly for a startup, production at the plant has been gradual as Rivian ramps up its capabilities, with 652 vehicles made as of Dec. 15 and 386 delivered, including these two R1Ses.

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Rivian says it is concentrating its efforts in the next months on raising production to full output, which has been expanded from 150,000 to over 200,000 units yearly at the Illinois factory. The Georgia factory, which is scheduled to begin manufacturing Rivian's next-generation automobiles in 2024, will have a capacity of 400,000 vehicles per year.

The business reports that it has received over 71,000 preorders for its R1 vehicles, with the majority of consumers having to wait until 2023 to receive their vehicles. The R1T pickup truck starts at $68,575 and has a range of 314 miles, while the R1S SUV starts at $71,075 and has a range of 316 miles. (A larger battery pack with a 400-mile range will be available for the R1T, however it has not yet been released.)

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