Rivian's factory hit by tornado ahead of R2 launch
TechCrunch • • general
Key Points:
- Rivian’s factory in Normal, Illinois, was hit by an EF-1 tornado over the weekend, causing damage to "Building 2," where the R2 SUV is manufactured, but no injuries were reported.
- Operations in Building 2 have been paused for damage assessment and cleanup, with plans to resume production later this week; other facilities continue to operate as usual.
- The tornado primarily affected a newer section of the factory used for R2 logistics, including parts deliveries, and a large section of the roof was damaged.
- The R2 SUV launch is critical for Rivian’s financial turnaround, as the company aims to sell 20,000 to 25,000 units by the end of 2024 to reduce ongoing losses.
- Production of the R2 is currently at the Normal plant, with a new factory being prepared in Atlanta, Georgia, to support future production of the R2 and the upcoming R3 hatchback.
