Rivian announced earlier this year that its new mid-size R2 electric SUV would go on sale this spring, but nature may have just thrown a wrench in those plans.
This was first reported by TechCrunch Rivia’s factory in Normal, Illinois took a direct hit from the tornado this weekenddamaged part of the facility connected to one of the company’s approaching vehicles.
Rivian confirmed to Gizmodo that the storm hit and damaged a building called Building 2, forcing the company to close the facility. Building 2 is where Rivian manufactures the R2 cars.
Pictures loaded On a Rivian forum, it appears that part of the facility’s ceiling has collapsed. Normal city hit three EF-1 tornadoes (on an EF-0 to EF-5 intensity scale) Friday night, with peak winds between 90 and 100 mph.
Fortunately, Rivian told Gizmodo that no one was injured and that its staff is still assessing the extent of the damage. The tornado hit the newer part of the factory used for R2 logistics, such as parts delivery.
“We expect to resume operations at Building 2 this week. Operations at other facilities continue as planned,” Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe wrote in a memo to employees.
The timing is not ideal. The Tornado comes just weeks before Rivian begins rolling out its more affordable R2 SUV, a vehicle that is a key part of the company’s plan to become profitable.
R2 was presented as a more affordable alternative Rivian’s R1S A seven-seat electric SUV starting at $76,990.
The highly anticipated R2 is a five-seater mid-size SUV. Rivian initially plans to introduce a performance version of the car this spring with an estimated range of 330 miles and a starting price. $57,990.
Not expected until the standard version End of 2027Starting at $48,490.
Rivian estimates it will sell between R20,000 and R25,000 by the end of this year, reports TechCrunch.
The new car is also part of Uber’s robotics ambitions. The two companies announced partnership In March, Uber agreed to invest $1.25 billion in Rivian through 2031.
The initial $300 million has already been paid after the agreement was signed and approved by regulatory authorities. The rest of the investment will depend on whether Rivian hits certain autonomous milestones.
In addition, Uber or its fleet partners plan to purchase 10,000 R2 SUVs starting in 2030, with the option to purchase up to 40,000 additional vehicles.
Uber’s Rivian R2 fleet is expected to hit the streets of San Francisco and Miami in 2028, with plans to expand to up to 25 cities in the US, Canada and Europe by 2031.
