Rivian has had layoffs in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and now, within a week of launching the long-awaited R2 SUV, layoffs in 2026. The Wall Street Journal reports the cuts made Tuesday affected less than two percent of its employees, which the company confirmed, saying it “restructured a handful of teams,” as it attempts to turn a profit for the first time. [Link: The Rivian R2 is too much fun to let drive itself | https://www.theverge.com/transportation/946398/rivian-r2-review-price-specs-ai-ev | The Verge]

Rivian cut less than 2% of its workforce in service and customer teams, a week after R2 deliveries began. The company lost $3.6B in 2025 on 42,247 vehicles.

Rivian has cut over 700 jobs across two layoff rounds in 2025 as EV demand slows and federal tax credits expire ahead of its critical R2 SUV launch.