Electric vehicle maker Rivian has officially started production of its new R2 SUV at its plant in Normal, Illinois. The milestone follows an EF-1 tornado that struck the facility on April 18, 2026, causing significant damage to the factory's exterior and halting operations temporarily.
While production has now commenced, the company has announced that customer deliveries of the R2, initially targeted for the spring of 2026, have been delayed. Rivian now states deliveries will begin later in the year. The tornado damaged the plant's roof and exterior walls, but critical manufacturing equipment for the R2 line was reportedly spared.
The R2 is a smaller, more affordable electric SUV pivotal to Rivian's strategy to expand its market reach. The start of production is a key step for the company as it seeks to achieve profitability. Rivian has stated that repairs to the Normal plant are ongoing alongside the production ramp-up.
