rivian outlines its overseas expansion europe is next, Rivian lineupRivian lineupRivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe has confirmed that Europe is the company's next market, with the UK central to its plan for the continent. In an interview with Auto Express, Scaringe said the first model to arrive will be the R2, the mid-size electric SUV built to take on the Tesla Model Y.The Rivian R2 was engineered with European buyers in mind, Scaringe said, in anticipation of the brand's arrival in the region within the next few years. It is designed to handle on- and off-road, with practicality touches aimed at Rivian's outdoor-focused audience, including a torch hidden in the driver's door. Scaringe noted that many American customers already assume Rivian is a European brand.AdvertisementAdvertisementBeyond the R2, Rivian plans to bring the R3 crossover hatchback to Europe, along with a tri-motor, rally-inspired R3X developed by RAD, the Rivian Adventure Department. Scaringe hinted at an even more affordable "R4" further down the line. All of it, however, depends on the R2's performance.2027 Rivian R2: All the Details2027 Rivian R2: All the DetailsView Gallery53 photosIn the US, the R2 starts just under $45,000, or roughly £33,300. Auto Express expects UK pricing to land around £40,000, placing it near the Model Y in one of the world's most competitive EV markets. Asked whether Rivian is ready for stronger rivals in Europe, Scaringe replied, "We'd better be."AdvertisementAdvertisementHe argued Rivian's adventure-oriented models will stand out from what he sees as increasingly interchangeable products. "There's a lot of cars that they're different brands, maybe slightly different styling, but they're sort of the same and they don't feel that different," he said, adding that he laments the loss of an era when brands offered "wildly different takes on a segment." The colloquial description, he said, is that "cars look like jelly beans, they're just all sort of the same. And so we try not to be like that."Europe will also mark Rivian's first direct clash with Chinese automakers. Scaringe praised the execution of the Xiaomi SU7 and the breadth of BYD's lineup, though he said such cars often "blend in with one another." He believes many Chinese models attempt too much and lack a seamless user experience, one reason Rivian keeps functions in-house and declines to offer Apple CarPlay. The company has vertically integrated its high- and low-voltage systems, motors, gearboxes and software, and has developed its own silicon chips for self-driving.Rivian recently broke ground on a Georgia factory due to open in 2028, with initial capacity of 300,000 units annually to help support European sales. The company projects deliveries of up to 70,000 vehicles this year, nearly 70 percent above 2025.Scaringe declined to commit to a European launch date, noting demand will consume production capacity for some time. Auto Express estimates 2028 or 2029.