Rivian begins handing over its new R2 electric SUVs to public customers this week, marking the start of deliveries for the company’s latest, lower-priced model. Multiple outlets report that the first R2 Performance vehicles are delivered to paying customers on Tuesday. The R2 Performance is listed with a starting price of $57,990, including a Launch Package, according to at least one source. The launch represents a shift as Rivian moves from earlier stages of development and production scale-up toward broader customer sales of the R2 line. While one account frames the move as part of Rivian’s strategy amid a smaller, more competitive U.S. EV market, other coverage focuses primarily on the delivery timeline and pricing for the initial trim available to customers. The company’s deliveries begin with the R2 Performance version, and further details about other trims and broader rollout are not included in the provided excerpts. Overall, the sources agree that Rivian is now transitioning the R2 from product availability to customer delivery.