Rivian Shares Update on R2 Production Progress in Normal

Rivian just dropped a fresh update on the R2 buildout—and it’s clear they’re pushing hard to stay on track for a 2026 launch. Shared via email and their website, the update highlights major progress on construction at their Normal, Illinois plant and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the company is making R2 a reality.

The R2 will be produced at Rivian’s existing 4.3 million sq. ft. manufacturing plant, where the R1S, R1T, and commercial vans are already being built. To support R2, they’re expanding that footprint with a new 1.1 million square-foot building on the east side of the campus, designed to house the R2’s body shop and general assembly operations. That’s not all—new additions are also coming for paint, battery assembly, and material flow.

Despite winter conditions, construction is moving fast. According to Tony Sanger, VP of Production Facilities, buildings are now “going vertical,” with structural steel, wall panels, and roof decking already well underway. The new Body, General Assembly, and End of Line building is ahead of schedule—walls are up, 70% of the steel is done, and 60% of the roof decking is complete. Over at the new Parts Pre-Treat and E-Coat Dip (PTED) facility, the structure is nearly weather-tight and ready for equipment installation starting next month.

Tony emphasized that prefabrication has been key to keeping things on track. By assembling as much as possible off-site, they’re minimizing delays and speeding up the process of getting everything online. That same philosophy extends to the site’s layout: Rivian decommissioned their old test track to make room for the expansion and is already building a new high-speed test track set to open this spring.

Efficiency is front and center in the new site plan. One big change? Parts painting is moving to the new PTED facility, which frees up the main paint shop to focus only on painting vehicle bodies. Conveyance systems between Body, Paint, and General Assembly—along with automated storage and retrieval systems—will allow Rivian to build at higher volumes without bottlenecks.

It’s all coming together quickly, and Tony says this phase is where things get exciting. “Speed and complexity require a high level of collaboration,” he explained. “So many decisions are made each day to drive the program forward.”

Bottom line: Rivian’s got the pedal down on R2. With construction ahead of schedule and a sharp eye on efficiency, the 2026 launch looks more real by the day.