Rivian is close to starting deliveries of its cheapest EV yet, the long-awaited R2. But the company’s factory in Normal, Illinois, was hit by an EF1 tornado this past weekend, which may hamper efforts to get the SUV to customers on time. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, a message sent to employees by Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe expressed relief that nobody was injured. The incident occurs at a sensitive time for the EV company, which hopes to dramatically increase sales with the arrival of its Tesla Model Y competitor.
Related: Rivian’s Cheapest Model: Everything We Know About The R2
Photos Confirm Substantial Damage
Rivian factory damage Hilbe and raushel/Rivian Forums
In pictures posted on Rivian Forums, the Normal plant sustained visible damage to portions of the roof and structure. No Rivian models are visible in the images, but this is the same location where the new R2 will be built, with employee deliveries set to begin this month.
“While Building 2 has sustained damage and is closed for the time being as we complete our assessments, I am incredibly relieved to share that there were no injuries at our plant,” said Scarings in a message sent to employees and viewed by CNBC.
Building 2 is being used for parts storage and logistics for the R2. Fortunately, Scaringe said other crucial areas of the site, such as the assembly lines, are operating normally. In the damaged area, operations are expected to resume this week, but the rest of Scaringe’s statement leads us to believe there may be more damage than indicated here.
The CEO said that Rivian would “share more information as it becomes available, but for now, our priority is ensuring our Normal [Illinois] team is safe and supported.”
Peak wind speeds of tornadoes in the area were estimated to have reached as high as 100 mph when the outbreak occurred.
Why Is The R2 So Important?
Rivian R2 Rivian
With a starting price of under $50,000, the new R2 is the cheapest new Rivian ever sold. It undercuts the three-row R1S by around $30,000 and places the EV maker into an all-new segment with the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Toyota bZ Woodland.
The R2 has the same rugged, angular styling of the R1S, a complete contrast to the rounded Model Y. Specifications are good, with even the base single-motor model having 350 horsepower and a 345-mile range. The top-spec R2 Performance that arrives first costs $57,990, has 656 hp from dual motors, and blasts from 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Even this model has a competitive 330-mile range. Between these two trims is the Premium, which produces 450 hp from dual motors and also has a 330-mile range.
While certain other EV startups have failed to launch a mainstream product, Rivian has finally gotten to this stage, and it would be disheartening if the damage from the tornado delays this crucial vehicle in any way. Fortunately, the automaker has not announced a later arrival date yet, so there’s still every chance that the first customers will receive their vehicles this spring.
Related: 2026 Rivian R2 Performance vs. 2026 Tesla Model Y: Which Crossover EV Should You Choose?
