I watched a shaky video from Normal, Illinois, and for a moment the factory looked less like a production center and more like a scene frozen mid-fall. The ceiling of Building 2 had given way—metal, light, and inventory tangled together. You can feel the calendar tighten when a launch week is suddenly interrupted.
Rivian confirmed to Gizmodo that a tornado struck Building 2 at its Normal, Illinois factory this weekend, forcing a temporary closure of the facility that houses R2 production and logistics. TechCrunch first reported the damage, and photos posted to Rivian forums show portions of the ceiling collapsed.
Photos show part of Building 2’s ceiling collapsed.
Local reports from the National Weather Service confirm three EF-1 tornadoes struck McLean County on Friday night, with peak winds between 90 and 100 mph. Rivian told staff that no one was injured; crews are evaluating damage and logistics, and the company expects to resume Building 2 operations this week while other facilities continue running.
From the images, parts and pallets are scattered and gantries look bent—the hit left logistics like a toppled domino run. That damage is concentrated in the newer section of the plant used for R2 parts delivery rather than long-established assembly lines.
Was anyone injured in the tornado at Rivian factory?
Rivian says no employees were hurt. The company is conducting further evaluations and has temporarily closed Building 2 while repairs and cleanup proceed, according to a staff note from CEO RJ Scaringe reported by Gizmodo.
Rivian had planned to begin R2 deliveries this spring.
The timing is painful: the R2 is the mid-size, five-seat SUV meant to broaden Rivian’s customer base and meaningfully lower the company’s average selling price. Rivian pitched the R2 as a smaller, more affordable complement to the R1S seven-seat SUV, which starts at $76,990 (€71,600).
The initial R2 performance model was expected to start at $57,990 (€53,950) with an estimated 330-mile range, while a standard R2 version is slated for late 2027 with a starting price of $48,490 (€45,085). Rivian estimated selling 20,000–25,000 R2s this year, figures that depend heavily on uninterrupted logistics and ramp cadence.
For Rivian, the R2 program has long been a tightrope act—now the rope has a fray. Even a short stoppage in parts flow can ripple through final assembly, shipping, and dealer deliveries.
Will Rivian R2 launch be delayed?
Rivian’s public statement set a short near-term expectation: Building 2 work should restart this week. But you should be skeptical about fixed timelines—weather damage, parts replacement, and second-order supply chain checks can introduce hidden delays. Analysts and outlets like TechCrunch will be watching production numbers and VIN registrations as the clearest signals of a true slip in the launch calendar.
Uber’s recent investment puts more pressure on the schedule.
In March Uber agreed to invest up to $1.25 billion (€1.16 billion) in Rivian through 2031, with an initial $300 million (€279 million) tranche already committed. The deal also includes an order for 10,000 R2s with options to purchase up to 40,000 more beginning in 2030.
Uber expects to deploy Rivian R2 robotaxis in San Francisco and Miami in 2028 and expand to as many as 25 cities by 2031. That arrangement ties Rivian’s production milestones to additional capital tranches and fleet purchases—missed timelines could affect future funding and the pace of autonomous tests.
How much does the Rivian R2 cost?
Pricing breakdown: the R2 Performance was listed at $57,990 (€53,950) with ~330 miles range; the later standard R2 is expected around $48,490 (€45,085). For context, the R1S starts at $76,990 (€71,600).
I’ve followed factory incidents and product launches long enough to know small disruptions can become headline stories or headline problems—what matters now is how fast Rivian, its suppliers, and partners like Uber respond and communicate; will that be enough to keep the R2 on its intended run?