Rivian bets big on R2 as tornado tests its factory

Rivian’s push to scale the affordable R2 is tested by a tornado that damaged its Normal, Illinois factory just as the EV market cools and policy shifts bite; the company bets on vertical integration, in-house software, and a VW partnership to carry it to mass production, but success now hinges on the R2 delivering volume and profitability amid supply-chain volatility and competition.