Tornado damages Rivian's Illinois factory weeks before R2 SUV launch

A tornado classified as EF-1, with winds reaching 100 mph, impacted Rivian's manufacturing site in Normal, Illinois, damaging a structure used for storing and managing parts for the R2 electric SUV. This event took place just weeks prior to the anticipated launch of the R2 model. In a communication to employees, CEO RJ Scaringe reported that there were no injuries and that the affected section, known as Building 2, would be offline temporarily but is expected to return to normal operations within a week. Meanwhile, production of R1 trucks and electric commercial vans remained unaffected. The tornado caused visible roof damage in the newly built Building 2, as seen in social media posts. Rivian has not confirmed any changes to the R2 launch schedule, with expectations of delivering 20,000 to 25,000 R2 units by year-end, a pace noted by analysts as one of the quickest for electric vehicles in the U.S. The R2 manufacturing process will be integrated with the ongoing R1 production at the Normal facility, while a second plant near Atlanta is under development to accommodate future R2 output and the upcoming R3 hatchback. Preparatory work at the Georgia site commenced in late 2025, with structural construction planned for this year and vehicle production aimed for 2028. The tornado was part of a severe weather system that affected the upper Midwest.