The Fire Department reported that the fire occurred in a parking lot on the north side of a four-million-square-foot factory situated 130 miles south of Chicago. The assembly plant was not impacted by the incident.
Late Saturday evening, a significant fire erupted in a parking area of Rivian Automotive’s production facility in Normal, Illinois, resulting in considerable damage to numerous electric vehicles, as confirmed by the American startup on Sunday. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in connection with the blaze, which is currently under investigation by authorities.
The fire affected a parking lot situated on the northern perimeter of Rivian’s expansive four-million-square-foot manufacturing complex, approximately 130 miles south of Chicago. Despite the incident, the main assembly operations inside the plant were not impacted, according to a statement from the Fire Department.
Rivian has yet to disclose specific details regarding the exact number and models of the vehicles damaged by the fire. The company, renowned for its innovative electric R1S SUVs and R1T pickups, is in the process of enhancing the Normal facility to begin production of the new, more affordable R2 SUVs by 2026—a strategic move deemed vital for Rivian’s future growth.
Earlier this year, Rivian temporarily ceased operations at the plant for three weeks to undergo substantial retooling aimed at streamlining production processes and reducing costs. The company manufactures all of its vehicles at this Illinois location and is planning to establish a second manufacturing site in Georgia.
Additionally, Rivian recently paused production of its electric delivery vans, which are extensively used by Amazon, due to a parts shortage. However, the company anticipates compensating for the lost production time.
