Rivian Automotive has begun building customer versions of its R2 sport utility vehicle at its plant in Normal, Ill., a milestone the electric vehicle maker described as the product of years of development that has taken the model from a splashy debut to the factory floor. The company revealed the R2 in March 2024 at a theater event in Laguna Beach, Calif., where the announcement generated considerable attention among electric vehicle enthusiasts eager for a Rivian at a lower price point than the brand’s existing trucks and large SUVs. Since then, engineers and designers have subjected the vehicle to an extensive testing regimen spanning some of the harshest environments in the country, from the frozen tundra of Alaska to the scorching desert heat of Arizona, refining the user interface, final design and driving dynamics along the way. Now, the camouflage-wrapped prototypes that have long populated the Normal facility are giving way to vehicles intended for paying customers. “We are really excited to be producing R2 for our customers,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s founder and chief executive. “The vehicle is incredible — it’s the result of all the hard work and dedication of the Rivian team.” The start of customer production signals that Rivian’s manufacturing and quality-verification processes for the model are substantially complete. Every weld, software system and interior material has been reviewed against the company’s internal standards, according to the company. Javier Varela, Rivian’s chief operating officer, said the R2 program represents a step forward in the company’s manufacturing efficiency and cost structure. “Building R2 represents a major advance in engineering excellence and manufacturing efficiency, driving meaningful improvements in cost and quality that position Rivian as a leader in the future of transportation,” he said. Rivian said the first vehicles are now undergoing final quality and validation checks and