Rivian is bringing an electric vehicle showroom to Bethesda Row, taking over the recently vacated Nike store at 7117 Arlington Road.
The automaker plans to open a "Rivian Space" at the corner of Arlington Road and Bethesda Avenue, as local blogger Robert Dyer first reported on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026.
Rivian, founded by CEO RJ Scaringe, makes electric pickup trucks and SUVs. The showroom would add a walk-in retail presence in Montgomery County, where the company already operates a service center in Gaithersburg at 8787 Snouffer School Road. Rivian previously ran a drop-off facility in Rockville, according to Dyer.
Rivian Spaces function as walk-in showrooms rather than traditional dealerships. Visitors can view and sit in vehicles on display, examine mechanical components, interior cabin materials and paint swatches. Staff answer questions but do not make sales pitches, Dyer reported. Test drives can also be arranged, and several locations include a boutique area selling Rivian merchandise and accessories.
The concept mirrors Tesla's approach to retail. Tesla already has showroom locations in the region, and Dyer noted that Rivian has been expanding its footprint to compete.
Rivian is also growing elsewhere in the Washington area. The Washington Business Journal reported in April that the company plans to open a showcase center at 1100 New York Ave. NW near CityCenterDC in downtown Washington. Rivian also maintains a 42,000-square-foot service and sales center in Sterling, Virginia, according to the Business Journal.
The company's locations page lists the Gaithersburg service center and a showroom in McLean, Virginia, but does not yet include the Bethesda address.
No opening date for the Bethesda Row showroom has been announced.
