Rivian is preparing to reveal the updated R1, which includes the R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck. The revised R1 will feature subtly updated styling, new wheel designs and new technology. The manufacturer shut down its Normal, Illinois factory in April of this year for four weeks to retool and implement new technologies that will go into the updated R1 trucks. This suggests that Rivian is updating the R1 assembly process while also paving the way to start production of the smaller R2 eventually.
Cost And Complexity Reduction One of the big things Rivian is doing with the model refresh is streamlining and simplifying the manufacturing process for R1 trucks—it’s all about improving manufacturing efficiency and lowering costs. RJ Scaringe has made this clear through several statements, but we don’t know the extent of the changes. Several revised R1 sightings have been reported on the road, and none of the trucks were wearing camouflage.