Rivian Automotive Inc. started consumer production of its R2 electric vehicles on Wednesday.
The first customer-ready R2s rolled off the floor at the manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois on April 22, according to Rivian (Nasdaq: RIVN). The automaker also experienced tornado damage at the facility over the weekend.
“Building R2 represents a major advance in engineering excellence and manufacturing efficiency, driving meaningful improvements in cost and quality that position Rivian as a leader in the future of transportation,” Chief Operations Officer Javier Varela said in a statement.
The first round of customer deliveries is still scheduled for later this spring. Rivian expects the R2 to boost annual deliveries with its 2026 forecast rising to between 62,000 and 67,000 as of February.
Chief Financial Officer Claire McDonough told Reuters that the automaker is “encouraged” by the R2 reservations they have received “overall.”
“We’ll start to invite customers to begin to configure their vehicles in the June time frame. So, we’ll have better visibility at that point,” McDonough added.
