Rivian delivers first R1S electric SUVs

Last week Rivian announced its plans for a new $5 billion factory in Georgia alongside the release of its Q3 2021 shareholder letter, which also included news about the EDV Amazon delivery van, production numbers for the R1T pickup and more. The letter also said Rivian built the first two units of its R1S SUV, and on Monday the company confirmed that those SUVs were delivered to customers.

The first two R1S units went to Rivian employees, specifically CEO RJ Scaringe and SFO Claire McDonough. Rivian says the SUVs were delivered at the brand's factory in Normal, Illinois, which produces the R1T, R1S and EDV. Unsurprisingly for a startup, production at the plant has been off to a slow start as Rivian ramps up its capabilities, with 652 vehicles produced as of Dec. 15, of which 386 have been delivered -- including these two R1Ses.

Rivian says it's focused on increasing production over the coming months to reach full volume production, which has been increased from 150,000 units to over 200,000 annually at the Illinois plant. The Georgia factory, which will start producing Rivian's next-gen vehicles in 2024, will have a capacity of 400,000 annually.

The company says it now has over 71,000 preorders for its R1 vehicles, with most customers needing to wait until 2023 to take delivery. The R1T pickup starts at $68,575 and has a 314-mile range, while the R1S SUV will set you back $71,075 and has a 316-mile range. (The R1T will be available with a larger battery pack that provides a 400-mile range, though it's not out yet.)

Watch this: All-electric Rivian R1T Launch Edition tackles the trail

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