WJBC gets a look inside Rivian and the R1T pickup truck

Posted on September 28, 2021

*WJBC’s first look at the Rivian R1T pickup and a tour of the manufacturing plant in Normal. (Scott Miller/WJBC)*

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – As customer vehicles start to roll off the production line at Rivian, WJBC got to test drive the R1T pickup truck and we got a look inside the manufacturing facility in Normal.

Erik Fields, vice president of manufacturing at Rivian

WJBC’s Scott Miller checked out the R1T and got a tour of the plant. Many local leaders were in attendance, including Normal Mayor Chris Koos, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap). All three got to test drive the vehicle.

“I really believe this is not only great for Rivian and central Illinois, but Illinois is in a moment in history where if we make the right moves we could become the top electric vehicle state in the United States,” said Durbin. “That means good paying jobs and the best technology, creating opportunities in the future.”

“Just look at the jobs, they started early this year around 650 jobs, they are now around 2,800 and will be above 4,000 over the next year,” said LaHood. “It’s a great company and adding so much value to our community and bringing people here. Then you think about the technology. The technology is phenomenal, the innovationa and engineers they are bringing here. It is a win, win, win for our area.”

“I want the town to know that the high tech is here and we aren’t a start up anymore,” said Erik Fields, Rivian’s vice president of manufacturing. “This is a true OEM (original equipment manufacturer) that is growing and going to continue to expand. This is the forefront of a connected factory and it’s not old classic manufacturing, it’s the new modern manufacturing.”

The electric automaker is producing its R1T pickup, R1S SUV, and delivery vans for Amazon at the former Mitsubishi Motors plant.

Members of the community will have the opportunity this Thursday through the weekend to get a close up look at the R1T and meet members of the Rivian staff. A link to RSVP can be found here.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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