Rumor: line shut down for the next two weeks?

[DuoRivians]

There’s a rumor that the line has been shut down for the next two weeks. If true, I wonder if it’s because of retooling for quad max production, or parts shortage from all the tariffs.

Anyone know more?

Sponsored

 

[Donald Stanfield]

It's probably too soon for tariff impacts. Hopefully it's for retooling.

 

[DuoRivian]

Why wouldn’t need shutting down for retooling? I thought the only significant difference between the quad and tri was the addition of an additional front motor (upgraded brakes as well). Same interior and exterior.

 

[VSG]

There is an upcoming announced shutdown, as announced in Rivian's SEC form 10-K published in February. This has been re-iterated by several published statements from RJ as recently as a few weeks ago:

we are planning to shut down our Normal Factory for approximately one month in the second half of 2025 to integrate key elements of our manufacturing process in preparation for the R2 launch, which will temporarily impact our overall production.

The earnings call on 6 May will have an updated timeline and details for that shutdown.

 

[DuoRivians]

There is an upcoming announced shutdown, as announced in Rivian's SEC form 10-K published in February. This has been re-iterated by several published statements from RJ as recently as a few weeks ago:


The earnings call on 6 May will have an updated timeline and details for that shutdown.

Yes, this is for the H2 of 2025. I’m talking about the line being shut down right now for two weeks

 

[DuoRivians]

Why wouldn’t need shutting down for retooling? I thought the only significant difference between the quad and tri was the addition of an additional front motor (upgraded brakes as well). Same interior and exterior.

If it is a retooling, lots of components could be involved, including NACS switchover.

 

[VSG]

Yes, this is for the H2 of 2025. I’m talking about the line being shut down right now for two weeks

We are only 10 weeks away from 2nd half of 2025 ... future dates in these filings are only projections, and there's nothing to say it won't happen a little sooner or a little later than originally planned. Or even a little differently than originally planned - maybe 2 weeks + another 2 weeks next month, for instance.

My point is, a plant shutdown is not something any public company can do without notification. So IF they are shutting down soon, the most likely thing would be an acceleration of their plans - perhaps an effort to get R2 out sooner.

An unplanned shutdown - e.g. because of a fire - would also come with an announcement.

But a discretionary shut down for two weeks right now for some other reason and without notification would seem to me to be a violation of securities laws, because that would give an unfair advantage to everyone who knew about this secret shutdown. So I consider this possibility highly unlikely.

 

[Newtonrj]

There is only one paintshop in Normal. It currently supports the existing R1T, R1S and EDV. They need to integrate the R2 line into the paint shop at some point.

Paintshop Shutdown R2 Line

 

[DuoRivians]

We are only 10 weeks away from 2nd half of 2025 ... future dates in these filings are only projections, and there's nothing to say it won't happen a little sooner or a little later than originally planned. Or even a little differently than originally planned - maybe 2 weeks + another 2 weeks next month, for instance.

My point is, a plant shutdown is not something any public company can do without notification. So IF they are shutting down soon, the most likely thing would be an acceleration of their plans - perhaps an effort to get R2 out sooner.

An unplanned shutdown - e.g. because of a fire - would also come with an announcement.

But a discretionary shut down for two weeks right now for some other reason and without notification would seem to me to be a violation of securities laws, because that would give an unfair advantage to everyone who knew about this secret shutdown. So I consider this possibility highly unlikely.

It’s happened before in 2024. If there is a shutdown now, it’s most likely nothing to do with R2

The H2 shutdown is supposed to happen closer to Q4. Rivian is still building the expansion, and not yet ready to shut down the entire line for this

 

[VSG]

The 2024 shutdown for Gen2 was totally planned way in advance - almost a year IIRC.

All we know about the 2025 shutdown is that it is:

to integrate key elements of our manufacturing process in preparation for the R2 launch

That's not to say they're building an R2 line. I read it as changing things that will be shared with R1 production in order to make them dual-use. In preparation. Maybe new machinery, or even just moving the existing lines so they have space to access the planned R2 lines. That could be many, many things.

Regardless, I guess we'll find out soon enough - it's kind of useless discussing "rumors" because there's no context to it. This could just be coming from one guy who is being told to stay home for the next two weeks because they won't need him.

 

[DuoRivian]

If it is a retooling, lots of components could be involved, including NACS switchover.

That is a good point, forgot that switchover.

 

[Honey]

for retooling for the quad.

 

[A_E]

There’s a rumor that the line has been shut down for the next two weeks. If true, I wonder if it’s because of retooling for quad max production, or parts shortage from all the tariffs.

Anyone know more?

I mean they are already using the rear motor setup for the quad in the Tri Motor setup so the only thing new here, to my knowledge, is the front motor setup, but maybe they have some other parts that are different from the Tri that I'm unaware of?

 

[savethemanual]

Maybe too much inventory and sales have slowed ? Just a thought, I know many who are waiting a bit for that next major financial commitment to see how this current trade war is going to play out.

 

[Porfiry]

See this Reddit thread. Might be tariff related.

Sponsored