Rivian’s CEO RJ Scaringe has shared more information about the R2, the brand’s upcoming entry-level model. The transcript of the call is available online at Yahoo Finance.
The baby Rivian will benefit from a next-generation network architecture. This will bring greater software capabilities and will serve as the foundation of the R2. The R1S and R1T are also expected to receive this new architecture, suggesting an updated model is in the pipeline.
The company will implement clever cost-cutting measures that may reduce prices. The network architecture will reduce the number of vehicle ECUs by as much as 60% and the wiring harness length by 25%, minimizing complexity and cost. This is the same method Tesla uses, so, once again, Rivian is copying homework.
This is important, as Rivian hopes to tackle the lucrative $40,000 – $60,000 electric crossover segment with the R2. With Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 cheaper than ever, Rivian needs to make an impact with appealing pricing.