EF-1 storm damages Normal, Illinois facility
Rivian confirmed that its manufacturing complex in Normal, Illinois was struck by an EF-1 tornado over the weekend, causing structural damage to part of the facility. The company said no injuries were reported, and teams are assessing the full extent of the impact.
The storm hit what Rivian calls “Building 2”, the section of the plant responsible for production and logistics tied to the upcoming R2 SUV. Operations in that building have been temporarily paused.
In an internal email to employees, CEO RJ Scaringe thanked staff for following emergency procedures when tornado alarms sounded. “I am proud of how everyone came together,” he wrote, noting that employees sought shelter quickly and have since assisted in cleanup efforts.
Roof damage, temporary shutdown
Photos shared online show that a portion of the roof collapsed inside the affected area. Rivian indicated that the damaged section is part of a newer expansion primarily used for R2-related logistics, including parts deliveries.
Company spokesperson Marina Hoffmann said Rivian expects to resume operations in Building 2 later this week once the impacted area is secured. Production in other parts of the Normal plant continues as scheduled.
Rivian has not yet indicated whether the brief shutdown will affect the highly anticipated rollout of the R2, which is slated to begin in the coming weeks.
High stakes for the R2 program
The timing of the storm adds pressure to a pivotal moment for the electric vehicle maker. Rivian has invested heavily over the past five years to streamline manufacturing costs across its R1 vehicle lineup, but the company continues to post quarterly losses.
According to Scaringe, those losses are partly driven by upfront investments in infrastructure designed to support future scale. The R2 SUV is expected to play a central role in improving Rivian’s financial performance.
Rivian projects sales of 20,000 to 25,000 R2 vehicles by the end of the year. If achieved, that pace would rank among the fastest launches of a new EV model in the U.S., trailing only Tesla’s Model Y debut.
Production of the R2 is beginning at the Normal facility alongside Rivian’s R1 vehicles and electric delivery vans. Meanwhile, the company is advancing plans for a new factory outside Atlanta, Georgia, where both the R2 and the forthcoming R3 hatchback are expected to be built starting in 2028.
Rivian broke ground on the Georgia site late last year and plans to begin vertical construction this year. The success of the R2 launch is widely viewed as critical to stabilizing the automaker’s path toward profitability.