what company makes rivian cars

[HadleyDella]

Rivian vehicles are made by Rivian Automotive, Inc., an American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer and automotive technology company. Founded in 2009, Rivian is an independent, publicly traded company (NASDAQ: RIVN) and is not a subsidiary of any legacy automaker. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California, but its primary manufacturing facility is a massive, company-owned plant in Normal, Illinois.

This Illinois factory is a key part of Rivian's identity. It was originally a Mitsubishi plant that Rivian purchased and retooled, making it a cornerstone of American EV manufacturing. Here, the company produces its two consumer vehicles: the R1T, an all-electric pickup truck, and the R1S, an all-electric SUV. They also plan to build their next-generation models and vehicles for Amazon, like the Electric Delivery Van, at this facility.

Rivian's approach is vertically integrated, meaning they design, engineer, and assemble the vehicles themselves, controlling core technologies like the "skateboard" platform that houses the battery pack, motors, and suspension. This strategy, similar to Tesla's, gives them significant control over the final product.

Key Fact	Details
Company Name	Rivian Automotive, Inc.
Founding Year	2009
Headquarters	Irvine, California, USA
Primary Manufacturing Plant	Normal, Illinois, USA
CEO & Founder	R.J. Scaringe
Flagship Vehicles	R1T (pickup truck), R1S (SUV)
Notable Investor	Amazon (holds a significant stake)
IPO Date	November 10, 2021
Stock Ticker	RIVN

[SpencerLynn]

It's its own company, Rivian. They're not owned by Ford or GM; they're a separate startup based in California. They built their factory in Illinois where they make everything—the R1T truck, the R1S SUV, and those Amazon delivery vans. So when you buy a Rivian, you're buying directly from the manufacturer, not through a legacy brand.

[JaceLynn]

From a business perspective, Rivian Automotive, Inc. is the entity. As an investor, what's interesting is their vertical integration—they own their production facility in Normal, Illinois. This controls costs and quality. Major backers like Amazon provide stability, but it's crucial to remember they are an independent, publicly traded company competing directly with established players, which carries both high risk and high reward potential.

[McSienna]

I just got my R1S, and you quickly learn it's a Rivian through and through. The company makes them itself at its own plant in Illinois. You order directly from them, and service is through their own centers. It feels like a totally new kind of car company, built from the ground up for electric vehicles, not adapting old gas car factories.

[GageAnn]

Living near the plant in Normal, you see it firsthand. Rivian makes Rivians right here. They took over the old Mitsubishi factory and hired thousands of locals. It’s a point of pride for the community. Those trucks and SUVs rolling off the line are 100% made by Rivian, an American company putting this town on the map for the electric age.