Rivian's newest electric car model to be produced in downstate Normal

Rivian
Photo credit Mario Tama/Getty Images

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Rivian is expanding is expanding its line of electric cars, which will be made in downstate Normal.

It was a celebration at the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach, California that is owned by Bloomington- based Rivian.

CEO RJ Scaringe announced two new models of electric vehicles-the R2 SUV and the R3 crossover vehicle.

Rivian
Chief Design Officer of Rivian Jeff Hammoud and Founder and CEO of Rivian RJ Scaringe speak onstage during the Rivian Reveals All-Electric R2 Midsize SUV event at Rivian South Coast Theater on March 07, 2024 in Laguna Beach, California. Photo credit Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Rivian

While Rivian is building a factory in Georgia, he said the new R2 will roll off of the assembly line in Normal and the company is "just ecstatic about" it.

"We're able that accelerated timing by leveraging our production capabilities in normal using using our Illinois site to launch our two and get that in the market as quickly as we can."

The R2 will hit the road in 2026.

Governor Pritzker praised the announcement. In a statement, he said that Rivian is an important partner in the state's rapidly growing manufacturing sector.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images