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Rivian Targets R2 Restart This Week After Tornado Damages Illinois Plant

Uncertainty around the R2 timeline threatens Rivian’s plan to scale volumes toward profitability.

Overview

  • Rivian’s Normal, Illinois factory, which a tornado hit Friday night, took EF-1 damage to Building 2 used for R2 parts and logistics.
  • The company reported no injuries and said teams secured the area and began cleanup and repairs.
  • Rivian paused Building 2 and says R2 operations there should restart this week, while other production areas continued to run.
  • The company has not said if the damage will shift the R2 rollout, a key launch tied to lower per‑vehicle costs and 20,000–25,000 planned sales this year.
  • The National Weather Service traced the EF-1 tornado’s 10.3‑mile path through Normal with 100–110 mph winds, and local officials declared a state of emergency.