Rivian has successfully produced the first customer-ready R2 SUVs at its Normal, Illinois factory, just after the site suffered an EF-1 tornado that damaged part of the facility’s roof. Despite this, CEO RJ Scaringe indicated on Bloomberg Television that Rivian anticipates no delays in the R2’s critical rollout.
“The tornado impacted the southern end of the plant, removing the roof and damaging sections. The past 72 hours have been nonstop work,” reported Scaringe, stating Rivian adjusted material logistics to accommodate the factory changes. No alterations were made to the company’s production plan.
The timing of R2 deliveries remains unconfirmed, although Rivian previously committed to shipping R2 SUVs by mid-2026. This production is pivotal for Rivian, marking their first vehicle aimed at mass-market consumers, priced lower than their current R1 models, and expected to guide Rivian toward profitability after sustained losses.
Rivian projects delivering 20,000 to 25,000 R2 units by 2026’s end, which would position them closely behind Tesla’s Model Y in rapid scaling. However, the initial R2 release is priced at $57,990, with a slightly cheaper option at $53,990 anticipated by year-end. The sub-$50,000 R2 will not be available until 2027, with the targeted $45,000 base model expected late that year—assuming it materializes, with the company now stating the base model price as “around $45,000.”