Fire at Rivian Automotive Facility Damages Electric Vehicles

A fire broke out late Saturday at Rivian Automotive’s manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, damaging numerous electric vehicles. The U.S. startup reported the incident on Sunday.

Details of the Fire:

The fire occurred in a parking lot on the north side of the four-million-square-foot factory, located 130 miles (209 km) south of Chicago. According to the Normal Fire Department, the blaze did not affect the assembly plant itself. There have been no reports of injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation, as a company spokesperson told Reuters.

Impact on Rivian’s Operations:

Rivian has not yet confirmed the number or type of vehicles damaged in the fire. The company, known for its R1S SUVs and R1T pickups, is currently expanding the Normal plant to produce its upcoming R2 SUVs. These SUVs, scheduled to debut in 2026, are considered crucial to Rivian’s future success.

Earlier this year, Rivian shut down the plant for three weeks for major retooling aimed at simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs. All Rivian vehicles are produced at this facility, and plans are underway for a second assembly plant in Georgia.

Recent Production Updates:

In addition to the fire, Rivian recently temporarily suspended production of its commercial delivery vans used by Amazon due to a shortage of parts. However, the company expects to recover all missed production.