RJ Scaringe Is Betting His New Electric SUV Will Make Rivian The Next Tesla

ByAlan Ohnsman,

Forbes Staff.

R

ivian has had a rocky time since it began selling electric vehicles in 2021. It missed initial volume goals, leading to back-to-back years of weak sales. Then there have been post-COVID parts shortages, inflation and steel and aluminum tariffs. And now, it’s facing a federal administration that’s no fan of EVs. But CEO RJ Scaringe says he’s more optimistic than ever ahead of the company’s next major product launch: the R2 small electric SUV that will go head-to-head with Tesla’s top-selling Model Y.

“I'm very, very biased, but I think R2 is going to drive a step-change in overall EV adoption,” he told Forbes. “Not too different from what happened with Tesla.”