Rivian plans Normal plant shutdown in 2H25 to prepare for R2 production
Rivian is about to embark on its most challenging endeavor yet. To state that the success or failure of the R2 will likely determine Rivian’s future is not an understatement. If the Rivian R2 is a success, it could make the company into a legitimate mass market automaker.
If it does not, Rivian might find itself in a load of trouble. This is why it appears that the electric truck maker is really doing all it can to ensure that it is well prepared for the production of its first mass market vehicle. Part of these efforts involves a shutdown of the Normal, Il plant next year.
The update was mentioned by Rivian CFO Claire McDonough, who stated in the recently held earnings call that the Normal, Il plant will see just over a month of shutdown in the second half of 2025. While this would likely have as substantial effect on the company’s production figures for next year, the shutdown should give Rivian the capability to smoothly ramp the initial production of the R2.
“We will still have a shutdown as part of our production cadence in 2025. That will be in the second half of the year of just over a month of shutdown there to do a lot of work on many of the shared shops, and specifically our paint shop, to make sure that we’re ready for the R2’s start of production,” McDonough said.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe also highlighted that the company had sourced the majority of the R2’s bill of materials. This should help Rivian avoid supply chain issues, which could displease customers and investors when the R2 starts rolling out. This was hinted at in recent updates from the EV supply chain. Just recently, for example, a report from Yonhap News in South Korea suggested that LG Energy Solution's Arizona plant in the United States would be supplying 4695 cells for the R2.
“As it stands, we've sourced about 85% of the bill of materials on the R2 program. And that 85% that's been sourced is within or aggressive cost targets we've set for the program,” Scaringe said.
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