Rivian lifts 2026 delivery forecast after stronger second quarter demand
Rivian now expects 65,000 to 70,000 deliveries this year after topping its own second-quarter outlook, CNBC reported.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
2 min read
Rivian Automotive raised its 2026 delivery forecast after second-quarter demand came in stronger than the electric vehicle maker had expected, CNBC reported Thursday. The revised outlook gives investors a clearer sign that demand for Rivian’s vans and consumer vehicles held up during a closely watched period for EV makers.
The company now expects to deliver 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles this year, according to CNBC. Rivian’s earlier guidance called for 62,000 to 67,000 deliveries.
Rivian said it built 12,613 vehicles in the second quarter and delivered 12,194, CNBC reported. That delivery total exceeded the company’s previous quarterly outlook of 9,000 to 11,000 vehicles.
CNBC also reported that Rivian’s second-quarter deliveries were above the analyst consensus compiled by FactSet. The company said the stronger result was led by demand for its electric delivery van and its R1 lineup, according to CNBC.
R2 rollout adds to production focus
Rivian began deliveries of its midsize R2 SUV during the quarter, CNBC reported. The vehicle is being produced at the company’s plant in Normal, Illinois, which CNBC said is Rivian’s only production facility.
According to CNBC, Rivian is increasing production of the R2 at the Illinois site. The plant has annual capacity for 160,000 of the vehicles, CNBC reported.
The R2 is a key addition to Rivian’s lineup as the company looks beyond its flagship R1 products and its commercial van business. CNBC reported that the second-quarter delivery increase was tied to both the electric delivery van and the R1 vehicles, while the R2 ramp was getting underway.
EV makers face delivery scrutiny
Rivian is scheduled to report second-quarter financial results on July 30, CNBC reported. The delivery figures give the market an early look at volume trends before the company releases its full results.
Other EV makers were also in focus Thursday. CNBC reported that Tesla and Lucid Group were expected to release their second-quarter delivery figures the same day.
Rivian’s higher delivery guidance comes as investors track whether newer EV manufacturers can grow shipments while managing production costs and model launches. The company’s updated forecast points to stronger expected full-year volume than it had projected earlier, based on CNBC’s report.
Shares of Rivian, Tesla and Lucid were listed among the companies tied to the report by CNBC. No second-quarter financial figures were released by Rivian in the delivery update.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.