The Next Move After Musk: U.S. Startup Aims to Challenge Tesla in Europe with Backing from Amazon and Volkswagen

U.S.-based startup Rivian, backed by Amazon and Volkswagen, has revealed its intention to expand into Europe. The company’s first model for the region will be the Rivian R2 electric crossover, slated for launch in 2027. It is positioned as a direct rival to the Tesla Model Y — currently the best-selling EV on the continent.

The R2 is a mid-size SUV measuring 4.72 meters in length, with a starting price of $45,000. It will be offered in single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations, with the top version capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds. Driving range will exceed 550 km on the WLTP cycle, while charging from 10 to 80 percent will take less than 30 minutes.

Consumer interest has been enormous: following its March 2024 premiere, Rivian collected more than 68,000 pre-orders in just 24 hours. For the company, the R2 is intended to play the same role that the Model 3 did for Tesla — a mass-market offering capable of propelling the brand to a new level of sales.

It remains unclear whether Volkswagen will take an active role in Rivian’s European rollout. The German automaker has already invested up to $5 billion in the startup and created a joint venture focused on next-generation electronics. Either way, Rivian is preparing for a serious battle for market share — with the R2 as its key weapon.