Month delay in launch of Rivian-made trucks, thousands to work at the plant by 2022

Posted on June 3, 2021
The company plans to sell vehicles online and in showrooms. (Photo courtesy: Rivian/File)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

NORMAL – Deliveries of electric-powered trucks produced at Rivian Automotive in Normal are being delayed a month even as the company ramps up hiring of thousands of workers.

Deliveries were initially to start this month for the Launch Edition R1T’s. They’re now planned to start in July and will be completed in the spring of next year.

Deliveries of electric R1S sport utility vehicles are still scheduled to start this fall, a Rivian spokesperson told Heart of Illinois-ABC.

People who’ve placed preorders will hear from their assigned Rivian Guide by the end of November for expected delivery times.

The company indicated there were a number of factors that caused the month delay in truck deliveries, including supply constraints related to the pandemic. Also, it’s taking time to set up service centers and a national test drive tour for customers this summer in a COVID-safe environment.

Meantime, the spokesperson said 1,500 people now work at the plant. The workforce is expected to increase to about 2,500 by the end of this year and close to 4,000 sometime next year.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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