Rivian at Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference 2026: R2 gains

On 8th September 2026, Rivian (RIVN) presented its progress at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference 2026, focusing on the forthcoming R2 launch, autonomy development and custom silicon strategy. Early demand for the R2 has been robust, but the company anticipates ramp expenses, supply chain maturation and technology validation at scale.

Early feedback on the R2 has been "absolutely phenomenal," with pre-order conversion outperforming internal expectations. Supervised point-to-point driving is slated for a December 2024 release, with fully autonomous features targeted for 2027. Custom silicon for the Gen 3 hardware is nearly validated, already achieving 4x performance targets.

Partnerships with Uber and Volkswagen remain crucial, with potential capital, licensing and vehicle programs linked to these relationships. Rivian's R2 has been favorably received by media and customers, with The New York Times offering a positive review. Chip Newcom, Rivian's VP of Investor Relations, stated the early response has been "absolutely phenomenal," and noted favorable comparisons to both internal combustion vehicles and other electric vehicles.

Pre-order conversion rates are exceeding expectations, with customers invited in waves to configure and order their vehicles. A second shift at Rivian's Normal, Illinois plant is planned for the end of Q3 2024. The company has not encountered major supply chain issues, though ramp progress depends on supplier maturation. The R2 aims to cut the bill of materials by 50% compared to the R1, thanks to its structural battery pack design and use of 4695 cells.

Rivian absorbed approximately $100 million in ramp costs through cost of goods sold in Q2 2024, with more expected in Q3 before reaching profitability in Q4 2024. Automotive gross profit positivity is expected on an exit-rate basis in Q4 2024. Rivian holds $14 billion in cash and liquidity, including expected equity investments and a Department of Energy loan.

The company remains focused on funding the R2 ramp and Georgia plant commitments, while keeping the door open for future capital raises. Management emphasized the importance of executing the ramp and improving profitability to reduce funding needs over time. Rivian's current ratio of 2.1 provides a comfortable liquidity cushion, but its gross profit margin remains a challenge, at just 7.51%.

Rivian's autonomy progress includes a supervised point-to-point driving feature that was recently demonstrated to Uber leadership, with favorable reactions. The company is working on supervised driving that replicates the same underlying architecture as consumer point-to-point systems, with additional hardware and sensing needed for complex scenarios. The long-term goal is commercial robotaxi service and eventually personal Level 4 vehicles.