Jeff Hammoud

Chief Design Officer, Rivian Automotive

Search every verified Jeff Hammoud interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In an April 2026 interview, Rivian Chief Design Officer Jeff Hammoud discussed the design philosophy behind the upcoming R2 electric SUV. Hammoud stated that the R2 was "intentionally designed to look like a smaller R1S," but noted differences in engineering and manufacturing aimed at improving repairability, aerodynamics, and cost reduction. He said the company sought to reduce parts and costs without making the vehicle appear cheaper, describing a cleaner design that eliminates moldings. Hammoud also said the vehicle was approached "with repairability in mind," citing the need to consider insurance ratings for the U.S. and global markets. He highlighted a design choice involving a dark metallic gray on the front and rear fascias, explaining that if damaged, the part requires only a single color, avoiding color-matching issues.