Rivian (RIVN) set to score extra incentives for bringing R2 production to Illinois
After announcing that R2 production will kick off in Illinois, Rivian (RIVN) is poised to earn additional incentives with plans to expand its Normal EV plant.
Meet Rivian’s more affordable R2 electric SUV
Rivian unveiled its compact, more affordable R2 electric SUV last week at its new Laguna showroom. Tapping into his inner Steve Jobs, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe had a “one last thing” moment, shocking the crowd with the even smaller and more affordable R3.
Scaringe wasn’t done there. He took it a step further, introducing the rugged tri-motor R3X. The R3X is Rivian’s take on a high-performance electric crossover with wider wheels, more ground clearance, and a tri-motor setup.
Rivian’s R2 is essentially a smaller R1S offered at a cheaper price point. It will be based on Rivian’s next-gen EV platform designed to cut costs with maximum flexibility.
The R2 will be offered in single, dual, and tri-motor setups, with all versions boasting over 300 miles range. Rivan’s entry-level model will start at around $45,000.
According to Scaringe, the R2 is already generating quite a bit of hype. Rivian’s CEO posted on his X Friday that the R2 received over 68,000 reservations in less than 24 hours.
Rivian revealed it would kick off R2 production at its Normal, Illinois plant to accelerate its launch. Despite initial plans to build R2 at its new $5 billion EV plant in Georgia, Rivian said the move will save $2.25 billion while speeding up R2’s launch.
The State of Illinois is working with Rivian for additional incentives as it prepares to build R2 in the state.
According to Automotive News, Illinois looks to double down on the EV maker with new expansion plans at its Normal facility. “The elements of an economic development package are still being finalized,” the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity said.
“Once they are finalized, we will update the public on the details of the incentive package. Although Rivian is delaying its Georgia plant, it’s not expected to be significant.
The move is more to get out R2 quicker. Rivian said it will expand the plant to support up to 215,000 units of annual production capacity, up 43% from the previous 150,000 target.
Rivian has yet to say if it will expand or modify the plant for the added capacity. According to AN, an expansion may qualify Rivian for additional incentives for bringing R2 to Illinois.
Scaringe confirmed Rivian is “absolutely dedicated to bringing our Georgia plant to life with good jobs, economic development, and a product to be proud of” in a letter to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC).
Rivian’s leader clarified, “I want to be absolutely clear we remain committed to building our future in Georgia.”
R2 production will now kick-off at the beginning of 2026. After that, the smaller and even more affordable R3 and tri-motor R3X will begin rolling out.
After slipping over 45% this year and hitting a new all-time low last month, Rivian’s (RIVN) stock is up almost 20% over the past five trading days since unveiling the R2. Rivian shares are now down around 5% over the past 12 months.
Electrek’s Take
The move to begin building R2 in Illinois saves Rivian much-needed capital as it looks to expand the brand.
CFO Claire McDonough said the EV maker was confident its cash and equivalents would fund operations through 2025 last month. By bringing R2 production to Illinois, Rivian now expects to have enough funding through the start of R2 production.
Rivian expects planned upgrades in Normal this quarter to reduce material costs later this year. The EV maker sees a “modest growth profit” in the fourth quarter.
However, due to the shutdown, Rivian expects deliveries to be around 57,000, about the same as last year.
Rivian is following in Tesla’s footsteps as it looks to build its next-gen EVs in Texas, with Gigafactory Mexico running behind schedule.
Like Tesla, the move to begin production at an existing factory can help Rivian get the R2 out quicker while saving money.
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The new CLA Shooting Brake is the first electric Mercedes vehicle available as an estate. It’s more spacious, more capable, and more high-tech than ever.
Meet the new Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake EV
Mercedes introduced the new CLA Shooting Brake on Tuesday, its first electric estate car. The Shooting Brake arrives as the second EV from the luxury brand’s new entry-level family of vehicles.
The electric wagon takes the best of the new CLA, which was revealed just a few weeks ago, and adds more space and capability.
It’s also bigger than the current CLA Shooting Brake, offering a more spacious interior. The new EV measures 4,723 mm in length, or 35 mm longer than the outgoing model.
With an extended wheelbase of 2,790 mm (+61 mm), the electric version offers 14 mm more headroom and 11 mm more legroom in the front. Rear passengers gain 7 mm of headroom but lose 6 mm of legroom compared to the current model.
Boot space is 455 L, which is 50 L more than the CLA sedan, but 30 L less than the outgoing Shooting Brake. However, it does include an added Frunk (front trunk) for an extra 101 L of storage space.
With all seats folded, overall storage space is 1,290 L. It also comes with standard roof rails, which Mercedes claims can easily fit surfboards or bicycles with a 75 kg (165 lbs) load capacity.
Inside, the new Shooting Brake is nearly identical to the CLA Sedan. It features the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) with its fourth-gen infotainment.
The setup includes a 14″ infotainment and 10.25″ driver display screens. An extra 14″ passenger screen is available. A trim piece with star-pattern graphics replaces it if not. All three screens are powered by the latest-gen chips and graphics from Unity Game Engine.
Powered by the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture and an 85 kWh battery, the new Shooting Brake EV offers up to 473 miles (761 km) WLTP range.
It will be available in single and dual-motor powertrains. The base CLA 250+ Shooting Brake has 268 hp (200 kW) output and a WLTP range of up to 473 miles (761 km). Meanwhile, the dual-motor CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake has combined 349 hp (260 kW) and a range of up to 454 miles (730 km).
Based on its 800V architecture, the new electric estate can add 193 miles (310 km) WLTP driving range within 10 minutes. Mercedes said that should be plenty to get from Geneva to Milan or Berlin to Hamburg.
Mercedes will introduce new EV variants in early 2026, followed by a 1.5 L hybrid model. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but it’s expected to start slightly higher than the current model. The current CLA Shooting Brake starts at around €40,000 ($46,500) in Europe.
Following the new CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch two SUVs. Check back soon for more info on the upcoming lineup.
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Rivian today announced a partnership with Google Maps on a new navigation system for its electric vehicles.
Rivian will continue to offer its own customized navigation interface on the 15.6-inch center touchscreen, but the underlying data is now powered by (the Automotive SDK from) Google Maps instead of third-party alternatives. Rivian cites customer feedback in making this change:
Instead of doing some small incremental improvements, we wanted to profoundly change our solution so that we make it the best navigation solution in the industry by combining strengths from both teams.
End users will benefit from fresh Google Maps traffic and “much better” routing (with improved ETAs and rerouting) information that includes crowd-sourced reports about construction, accidents, and other road disruptions. Rivian will also now show Google Maps satellite imagery in a sizable upgrade.
Rivian has already been using Google Maps for place information (hours, photos, ratings, etc.) and will now let you “tap on places of interest right on the map and learn more about hours, reviews, and contact information with just a tap.” More broadly, Rivian builds on top of Android Automotive OS and offers YouTube, as well as Google Cast.
Whether you’re about to embark on a long road trip or just trying to find the quickest way to run errands around town, navigation should be seamless, accurate and helpful.
Rivian owners will continue to have vehicle and condition-specific range EV estimates, as well as detailed information about charging stops.
Meanwhile, this Google Maps upgrade comes with a new design language that Rivian says “celebrates natural spaces in its topography and colors —from green parks to deep blue lakes and oceans.” There are also enhancements to “glanceability and easier access to information.”
These updates are also coming to the Rivian mobile app. Specifically, users can see traffic and traffic incidents, place photos/descriptions and satellite view (with a Connect+ subscription). Destination and trip sharing remains available.
Rivian Navigation with Google Maps is beginning to roll out today.
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People look at iPhones at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City on May 23, 2025.
Adam Gray | Reuters
Apple and miner MP Materials announced a $500 million deal Tuesday for rare earth magnets and the development of a recycling facility that will reinforce the iPhone maker’s U.S. supply chain.
MP Materials stock climbed 23%. Shares of Apple were marginally higher.
As part of the agreement, Apple will buy rare earth magnets created at the company’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Both companies will combine on a new rare earth recycling line in Mountain Pass, California. MP Materials plans to start shipping magnets in 2027.
“American innovation drives everything we do at Apple, and we’re proud to deepen our investment in the U.S. economy,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release. “Rare earth materials are essential for making advanced technology, and this partnership will help strengthen the supply of these vital materials here in the United States.”.
Apple said the deal will create dozens of new manufacturing and research and development roles.
Rare earth magnets are key components that make up everything from consumer electronics such as smartphones and computers to cars and renewable energy systems.
For years, the U.S. has worked on curbing its reliance on China, which dominates the global rare earth elements supply chain. MP Materials operates the only rare earth mine in the U.S.
Earlier this month, the Department of Defense became the largest shareholder in the rare earth miner, buying $400 million in preferred stock to improve rare earth magnet supply on American soil.
Apple announced a plan to invest more than $500 billion to beef up U.S. manufacturing capabilities earlier this year. The plan included a new factory for artificial intelligence servers in Texas.
Shares of MP Materials have nearly quadrupled since the start of the year, pushing the miner’s market capitalization to nearly $10 billion. The stock has nearly doubled over the last month.
WATCH: Pentagon invests in MP Materials, guarantees floor price for rare earth minerals
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