Transportation

EV Maker Rivian Cuts 1.5% of Jobs Before R2 Production Start

A Rivian R2 electric vehicle (EV) during an unveiling event in Laguna Beach, California.

Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg

Rivian Automotive Inc. is cutting a small portion of its workforce as the electric-vehicle maker nears the launch of a more affordable midsize SUV, the R2.

A Rivian spokesperson confirmed the layoffs, first reportedBloomberg Terminal by the Wall Street Journal, which account for less than 1.5% of the company’s workforce. As of last year, Rivian employed about 15,000 people.