Rivian cuts dozens on manufacturing team ahead of R2 launch

TechCrunch has learned that Rivian has stopped working for about 5 employees, or about 5% of the staff, as it is ready to introduce more affordable R2 SUVs in 2026, learning Techchen.

These cuts were mostly formed in the Rivian manufacturing group and were running since Wednesday, multiple former employees said that the names of the trim were not released. Some employees were told that the company was removing the roles that created the “process inefficiency”.

Rivian confirmed the cuts in an email to TechCrunch. “We have made a difficult decision to reduce a small number of our salaried manufacturers as part of an ongoing effort to develop operational skills for R -2,” a spokesperson. The company has said that the affected employees are being encouraged to apply to other open locations inside the organization.

According to its annual filing at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Rivian started the year with more than 5,000 workers in North America and Europe. The company has done more than one cut in the last few years, including 10% reduced early 2024And A more trimmed of about 1% of staff on April 2024The