RIVIAN BEGINS R2 PRODUCTION AT ILLINOIS PLANT

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

THU, APR 23, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

Rivian has started manufacturing its R2 electric SUV at its Normal, Illinois facility, with first customer deliveries expected later this spring. CEO RJ Scaringe drove the first production vehicle off the line Wednesday.

The rollout event comes days after a tornado damaged a storage and logistics building at the same factory. The timing appears designed to reassure investors and customers concerned about the facility's operational status. First deliveries will focus on the higher-priced R2 variants before expanding to other trim levels. The R2 represents a critical product for Rivian as the company pursues profitability and aims to capture a larger share of the mass-market EV segment. Rivian has faced production challenges and financial pressures since going public in 2021. The R2 launch is central to the automaker's strategy to increase production volume and reduce per-unit costs. The company also manufactures the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV at the Normal facility.

■ SOURCES

► Engadget

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

■ MORE FROM THE HARDWARE DESK

P655CEREBRAS UNVEILS FASTER AI CHIP TO CHALLENGE NVIDIA

Cerebras Systems has introduced a new computer built on its proprietary chips, claiming the system delivers faster AI performance than competing Nvidia equipment. The move marks the company's latest effort to establish speed advantages in the competitive AI hardware market.

JUST NOW— AI Desk

P653CEREBRAS LAUNCHES CS-4 SERVER WITH THREE AI CHIPS

Cerebras Systems unveiled the CS-4, a server rack powered by three WSE-3 Turbo chips built on its new Nexus architecture. First shipments begin this quarter.

2H AGO— Industry Desk

P652FRAMEWORK LAPTOP 12 GETS INTEL CORE SERIES 3 UPGRADE

Framework's most affordable laptop now ships with Intel's latest Core Series 3 processors and additional hardware improvements. The upgrades enhance performance across the entry-level model.

3H AGO— Dev Desk

P653ICE BANS META GLASSES FOR AGENTS ON DUTY

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has prohibited agents from wearing Meta smart glasses during work hours, according to an official memo. The restriction addresses security and operational concerns as the devices become more prevalent among field personnel.

3H AGO— Industry Desk

◄ BACK TO NEWS

RIVIAN BEGINS R2 PRODUCTION AT ILLINOIS PLANT

■ MORE FROM THE HARDWARE DESK

■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY BRIEF