NORMAL, IL—Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian plans to increase the capacity of its assembly plant here to produce its midsized SUV, the R2. The company has secured an $827 million incentive package from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity to support the expansion.
The incentive package will also support the plant’s public infrastructure improvements and the implementation of job training programs for Rivian employees. The expansion comes as Rivian prepares to begin production of the R2 and will also include participation in several city improvement projects.
With a five-seat configuration, the R2 will be built on the same platform as Rivian’s existing R1S SUV and R1T truck.
Rivian first announced its plans to produce the R2 in March. The company has not yet specified a timeline for when the plant will be capable of assembling the midsized SUV. In the meantime, Rivian’s existing facility will continue to produce the R1S, R1T and the company’s commercial electric delivery vans.
Since beginning production in 2021, Rivian has assembled more than 100,000 electric vehicles at its Normal facility.
