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Rivian launches tour of R2, R3X across North America

Credit: Rivian

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Rivian has announced plans to take its upcoming electric vehicles (EVs) on a tour around North America, after the company unveiled the R2 and R3 models earlier this year.

Last week, Rivian announced in a post on its website that it would be displaying both the upcoming R2 and R3X vehicles at various locations in the U.S. and Canada, after initially launching displays at a few select stores. All of the events are set to include the R2 and R3X except the LA Auto Show, which won’t include the R3X, and most of the tour is taking place at automotive shows.

“Get ready—our R2 Road Tour is coming to a town near you,” Rivian writes. “We’re cruising through cities across the country, bringing you an up close and personal look at the all-new R2. You can also meet the new Gen 2 R1S & R1T and take a demo drive. Keep an eye out for R3X making guest appearances along the way.”

The news also comes after Rivian officially began expanding its Normal, Illinois factory last week to accommodate production of the R2 pickup and SUV. The company was originally approved for such an expansion in August, after a unanimous vote from Normal Town Council.

According to Rivian’s VP of Manufacturing Tim Fallon in a statement in July, the R2 had already gained more than 100,000 pre-orders, following its unveiling in March. In a surprise move after the R2 was unveiled, Rivian went on to share an additional EV, the R3X, is expected to enter production after the R2.

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In addition to the upcoming R2 and R3X displays, Rivian has had the R2 on display at multiple locations in California, as well as in Vancouver, B.C., Portland, New York City, Nashville, Austin, and Boston. You can see all of Rivian’s upcoming R2 and R3X appearances below, including an ongoing display at the company’s Laguna Beach space that ends on Sunday.

Rivian R2 and R3X appearances in 2024

November 15 to 17: Laguna Beach (10:00 am – 6:00 pm)

Rivian South Coast Theater – 162 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

 

November 20: Venice (11:00 am – 7:00 pm)

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Rivian Venice Space – 660 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291

 

November 22 to 27 and November 30 to December 1: Los Angeles Auto Show

Los Angeles Convention Center – 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

  • 11/22 to 11/24: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • 11/25 to 11/27: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • 11/28 to 11/29: No viewings of R2 and R3X for holiday
  • 11/30: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • 12/1: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Note: The Rivian R3X will not be displayed at the LA Auto Show.

 

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Rivian R2 and R3X appearances in 2025

January 11 to 20: Detroit Auto Show

Huntington Place: 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226

  • 1/11 to 1/14: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • 1/15 to 1/16: 1:00pm – 8:00 p.m.
  • 1/17 to 1/19: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • 1/20: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

February 8 to 17: Chicago Auto Show

McCormick Place: 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616

  • 2/8: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • 2/9: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • 2/10 to 2/16: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • 2/17: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

February 19 to 23: Toronto (Canadian International Auto Show)

Metro Toronto Convention Centre: 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6, Canada

  • Time: TBD

March 19 to 23: Vancouver Auto Show

Vancouver Convention Centre: 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C.

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  • 3/19: 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • 3/20 to 3/22: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • 3/23: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

Rivian and Volkswagen expand joint venture in hopes of surviving EV transition

Zach is a renewable energy reporter who has been covering electric vehicles since 2020. He grew up in Fremont, California, and he currently lives in Colorado. His work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, KRON4 San Francisco, FOX31 Denver, InsideEVs, CleanTechnica, and many other publications. When he isn't covering Tesla or other EV companies, you can find him writing and performing music, drinking a good cup of coffee, or hanging out with his cats, Banks and Freddie. Reach out at zach@teslarati.com, find him on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

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Tesla Model Y and Model 3 named safest vehicles tested by ANCAP in 2025

According to ANCAP in a press release, the Tesla Model Y achieved the highest overall weighted score of any vehicle assessed in 2025.

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Credit: ANCAP

The Tesla Model Y recorded the highest overall safety score of any vehicle tested by ANCAP in 2025. The Tesla Model 3 also delivered strong results, reinforcing the automaker’s safety leadership in Australia and New Zealand.

According to ANCAP in a press release, the Tesla Model Y achieved the highest overall weighted score of any vehicle assessed in 2025. ANCAP’s 2025 tests evaluated vehicles across four key pillars: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection, and Safety Assist technologies.

The Model Y posted consistently strong results in all four categories, distinguishing itself through a system-based safety approach that combines structural crash protection with advanced driver-assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane support, and driver monitoring. 

This marked the second time the Model Y has topped ANCAP’s annual safety rankings. The Model Y’s previous version was also ANCAP’s top performer in 2022.

The Tesla Model 3 also delivered a strong performance in ANCAP’s 2025 tests, contributing to Tesla’s broader safety presence across segments. Similar to the Model Y, the Model 3 also earned impressive scores across the ANCAP’s four pillars. This made the vehicle the top performer in the Medium Car category.  

ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg stated that the results highlight a growing industry shift toward integrated safety design, with improvements in technologies such as autonomous emergency braking and lane support translating into meaningful real-world protection.

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“ANCAP’s testing continues to reinforce a clear message: the safest vehicles are those designed with safety as a system, not a checklist. The top performers this year delivered consistent results across physical crash protection, crash avoidance and vulnerable road user safety, rather than relying on strength in a single area.

“We are also seeing increasing alignment between ANCAP’s test requirements and the safety technologies that genuinely matter on Australian and New Zealand roads. Improvements in autonomous emergency braking, lane support, and driver monitoring systems are translating into more robust protection,” Hoorweg said.

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Tesla Sweden uses Megapack battery to bypass unions’ Supercharger blockade

Just before Christmas, Tesla went live with a new charging station in Arlandastad, outside Stockholm, by powering it with a Tesla Megapack battery.

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Credit: Tesla Charging/X

Tesla Sweden has successfully launched a new Supercharger station despite an ongoing blockade by Swedish unions, using on-site Megapack batteries instead of traditional grid connections. The workaround has allowed the Supercharger to operate without direct access to Sweden’s electricity network, which has been effectively frozen by labor action.

Tesla has experienced notable challenges connecting its new charging stations to Sweden’s power grid due to industrial action led by Seko, a major Swedish trade union, which has blocked all new electrical connections for new Superchargers. On paper, this made the opening of new Supercharger sites almost impossible.

Despite the blockade, Tesla has continued to bring stations online. In Malmö and Södertälje, new Supercharger locations opened after grid operators E.ON and Telge Nät activated the sites. The operators later stated that the connections had been made in error. 

More recently, however, Tesla adopted a different strategy altogether. Just before Christmas, Tesla went live with a new charging station in Arlandastad, outside Stockholm, by powering it with a Tesla Megapack battery, as noted in a Dagens Arbete (DA) report. 

Because the Supercharger station does not rely on a permanent grid connection, Tesla was able to bypass the blocked application process, as noted by Swedish car journalist and YouTuber Peter Esse. He noted that the Arlandastad Supercharger is likely dependent on nearby companies to recharge the batteries, likely through private arrangements.

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Eight new charging stalls have been launched in the Arlandastad site so far, which is a fraction of the originally planned 40 chargers for the location. Still, the fact that Tesla Sweden was able to work around the unions’ efforts once more is impressive, especially since Superchargers are used even by non-Tesla EVs.

Esse noted that Tesla’s Megapack workaround is not as easily replicated in other locations. Arlandastad is unique because neighboring operators already have access to grid power, making it possible for Tesla to source electricity indirectly. Still, Esse noted that the unions’ blockades have not affected sales as much.

“Many want Tesla to lose sales due to the union blockades. But you have to remember that sales are falling from 2024, when Tesla sold a record number of cars in Sweden. That year, the unions also had blockades against Tesla. So for Tesla as a charging operator, it is devastating. But for Tesla as a car company, it does not matter in terms of sales volumes. People charge their cars where there is an opportunity, usually at home,” Esse noted. 

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk’s X goes down as users report major outage Friday morning

Error messages and stalled loading screens quickly spread across the service, while outage trackers recorded a sharp spike in user reports.

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Credit: Linda Yaccarino/X

Elon Musk’s X experienced an outage Friday morning, leaving large numbers of users unable to access the social media platform.

Error messages and stalled loading screens quickly spread across the service, while outage trackers recorded a sharp spike in user reports.

Downdetector reports

Users attempting to open X were met with messages such as “Something went wrong. Try reloading,” often followed by an endless spinning icon that prevented access, according to a report from Variety. Downdetector data showed that reports of problems surged rapidly throughout the morning.

As of 10:52 a.m. ET, more than 100,000 users had reported issues with X. The data indicated that 56% of complaints were tied to the mobile app, while 33% were related to the website and roughly 10% cited server connection problems. The disruption appeared to begin around 10:10 a.m. ET, briefly eased around 10:35 a.m., and then returned minutes later.

Credit: Downdetector

Previous disruptions

Friday’s outage was not an isolated incident. X has experienced multiple high-profile service interruptions over the past two years. In November, tens of thousands of users reported widespread errors, including “Internal server error / Error code 500” messages. Cloudflare-related error messages were also reported.

In March 2025, the platform endured several brief outages spanning roughly 45 minutes, with more than 21,000 reports in the U.S. and 10,800 in the U.K., according to Downdetector. Earlier disruptions included an outage in August 2024 and impairments to key platform features in July 2023.

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