Rivian Was the Second Best-Selling EV Brand in Q3 2026, but Still Far Behind Tesla

Rivian has secured the position of the second best-selling electric vehicle brand in the United States for the third quarter of 2026, surpassing previous runner-up Chevrolet. Despite this milestone, the company remains significantly behind market leader Tesla in total volume.

What Happened

Data from Cox Automotive indicates that Rivian sold 19,239 vehicles in Q3 2026, marking a 45.7% increase year-over-year. This performance placed the brand in second place, ahead of Toyota, which sold 12,904 units, and Cadillac, which recorded 12,358 sales. Tesla retained the top spot with 144,094 vehicles sold during the same period. While General Motors as a parent company still outsells Rivian in total EV volume, Rivian’s specific brand sales overtook Chevy’s. The surge in Rivian’s numbers was largely driven by the EDV500/700 commercial fleet vehicle, which accounted for the vast majority of sales, aided by contracts with Amazon. In the passenger vehicle segment, the R1T outsold the new R2, with 5,852 units compared to the R2’s 3,456.

Why It Matters

The data highlights the continued dominance of Tesla in the US EV market, with Tesla’s Model 3 alone selling 40,346 units in Q3, a figure that exceeds the combined total sales of Rivian and Toyota. However, the introduction of the Rivian R2 and the BMW iX3 is beginning to challenge Tesla’s Model Y, which remains Tesla’s most popular model with 99,037 sales. The source notes that the R2 has a good chance of becoming Rivian's best-selling car due to its lower price, improved tech, off-road capability, and increased practicality, though its range currently trails the Model Y.

The Bottom Line

Rivian has moved into second place in US EV brand sales for Q3 2026, driven heavily by commercial fleet deliveries and the launch of the R2. While Tesla maintains a lead in volume, the source suggests the R2 has a good chance of becoming Rivian's best-selling car, helping the brand inch closer to Tesla.