By Patrick Baron

NORMAL – Rivian Automotive plans to unveil two of its cars at the Los Angeles International Auto Show this November.

Rivian will reportedly showcase its A1T, a fully electric pickup truck, and its A1C, a type of SUV. Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council spokesman Zach Dietmeier said while Rivian hadn’t told the EDC specifically that they would be unveiling the cars in November, it fits the timeline of Rivian’s plans to begin production in 2019.

“From our communication with them they’ve been very clear all along, I think even with the community at-large, that they’ve been on track to reveal their vehicle production for 2019, and November 2018 really puts them in line with that mission,” Dietmeier explained.

Although Dietmeier said non-disclosure agreements prevent him from going into specifics about the cars, he is confident the vehicles will generate a lot of buzz.

“Members of the EDC have been privileged to see the prototypes specifically and I think people are going to be really excited,” said Dietmeier.

Dietmeier noted the final versions of the vehicles will be much more impressive than the clay models and prototypes. He said viewing the physical product is “when it becomes real for a lot of people.”

“It’s an exciting time for Rivian, for Bloomington-Normal, for McLean County, and I think we’re all anxiously waiting for November at this point,” explained Dietmeier.

Dietmeier said while the EDC has no plans to send a representative to the auto show this fall, the information and specifics that come out of the event will be enough to satisfy people until the vehicles are ready to hit the road.

“We’re going to learn a lot more about some of the nuances of the vehicles and it’s really just something that, once November hits, that production is going to start for 2019 as they’ve said all along,” Dietmeier said.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].