TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s R2 strategy

TechCrunch Mobility: The Latest in Transportation Innovation

A Rivian R2 electric vehicle showcased at Rivian Automotive's Palo Alto office on December 10, 2025. Image Credit: Jason Henry/Bloomberg / Getty Images

Welcome to your go-to source for updates on the future of mobility. Want these insights delivered straight to your inbox?

After a brief break last week, there’s plenty of ground to cover. While I won’t revisit everything, some major developments—like Wayve’s impressive $1.2 billion funding round—are too significant to leave out.

Upcoming Events and Rivian’s Big Reveal

Next week, I’ll be in Austin for SXSW, the renowned festival that draws a dynamic mix of tech innovators, creatives, policymakers, and industry leaders. I’m looking forward to Rivian’s event, where they’re set to unveil comprehensive details about the new R2 lineup. I’ll also be moderating a panel titled Innovation & Impact: Female Leaders Transforming Legacy Industries, featuring Rivian CFO Claire McDonough, Madison Reed CEO and founder Amy Errett, and Spotify’s chief public affairs officer Dustee Jenkins. If you’re attending, don’t hesitate to connect!

Rivian’s Rapid R2 Launch

Rivian is gearing up for one of the quickest rollouts of a new electric SUV in the U.S. with its upcoming R2 model, and the pressure is on.

Senior reporter Sean O’Kane analyzed both historical sales figures and Rivian’s own forecasts for 2026. The company anticipates delivering between 20,000 and 25,000 R2 vehicles this year, with the first units reaching customers in June as production ramps up.

This gives Rivian just half a year to hit its ambitious target. Even at the lower end, the R2’s sales pace would surpass every other electric vehicle in its price range—under $60,000—except for the Tesla Model Y.

Image Credit: TechCrunch/Sean O'Kane

The big question: What strategies will Rivian employ to achieve these numbers? Relying solely on pent-up demand won’t be enough. I anticipate Rivian will experiment with multiple approaches to boost awareness and convert interest into sales. What’s your prediction? Drop me an email!

Insider Tips

Image Credit: Bryce Durbin

No exclusive scoops to share this week.

Major Deals and Investments

Image Credit: Bryce Durbin

Although this news broke last week, it’s still worth highlighting: Wayve secured a $1.2 billion investment (potentially rising to $1.5 billion if Uber’s milestone-based funding is unlocked). The UK-based startup, now valued at $8.6 billion, is attracting significant attention from investors.

Other Noteworthy Deals

• Denso, a Toyota-affiliated parts supplier, has made a bid to acquire Kyoto-based chip manufacturer Rohm.
• Einride, the Swedish company developing electric trucks and autonomous freight pods, raised an oversubscribed $113 million PIPE ahead of its anticipated public listing in the first half of 2026.
• Harbinger has acquired autonomous driving software firm Phantom AI. Financial details were not disclosed.
• Holyvolt, a Swedish battery technology company supported by Volvo, purchased Wildcat Discovery Technologies for $73 million.
• Momenta, a Chinese self-driving tech company backed by GM and Tencent, has confidentially filed for a Hong Kong IPO and may seek to raise at least $1 billion.
• Nominal, a software startup serving the defense, space, energy, and automotive sectors, raised $80 million in a Series B extension, reaching a $1 billion valuation.
• Toyota has increased its offer for supplier Toyota Industries to $30 billion.
• Zeno, an African startup, raised $25 million in Series A funding to expand its app-based battery swap network and ramp up production of its Emara motorcycles. The round included $20.5 million in equity led by Congruent Ventures, with the rest as debt financing from Camber Road and Trifecta Capital.

Industry Highlights and Insights

Image Credit: Bryce Durbin

• BYD has introduced a new battery pack that can reportedly charge from 10% to 70% in just five minutes—though it requires a specific charger to achieve this speed.
• Hyundai, Toyota, and Chinese automakers such as Chery could see significant effects from the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, as the Middle East is a key market for their vehicles.
• Volkswagen Group has reached a new milestone, announcing the delivery of 4 million all-electric vehicles since 2013. Half of these were Volkswagen-branded, with the rest from Škoda, SEAT/CUPRA, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Porsche.
• A recent video captured a Waymo robotaxi blocking an ambulance during a mass shooting response in Austin. According to reports, emergency personnel were able to quickly resolve the situation, but the incident raises ongoing concerns about autonomous vehicle readiness in critical scenarios.

Looking Ahead: Autonomous Vehicle Safety Forum

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is hosting a forum on autonomous vehicle safety this Tuesday. Key industry figures, including Aurora co-founder and CEO Chris Urmson, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana, and Zoox CEO Aicha Evans, are expected to participate.