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Scaling with Speed

Rivian COO Javier Varela sits down with Cars & Culture podcast hosted by Jason Stein

By Rivian

February 27^th, 2026

Rivian Chief Operating Officer Javier Varela recently sat down with Jason Stein on the Cars & Culture for an in-depth conversation about navigating a shifting EV market, building out operations for Rivian, and of course R2 and what it means for the company.

Transitioning from the world of legacy automakers to a fast-moving EV startup, Javier shared his perspective on the unique "startup speed" that defines our culture. He also explains why a mentality of "try fast" is so important, and how it sets Rivian apart from traditional automakers.

During this interview, Javier breaks down the immense challenge of scaling from 10,000 to over 100,000 vehicles, emphasizing that our biggest asset isn't just the tech—it's the people and the culture of discipline we’re building together.

Whether you're a long-time R1 owner or newly following our journey toward R2, this interview offers a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re blending manufacturing rigor with the agility needed to shape the future of transportation.

You can watch the full interview here and wherever you get podcasts.

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