"Rivian's Production Plans, Activist Challenges, and Surprising Vehicle Unveils"

Rivian is set to earn additional incentives for bringing R2 production to Illinois, with plans to expand its Normal EV plant. The company unveiled its compact, more affordable R2 electric SUV and plans to kick off production in Illinois, saving $2.25 billion while speeding up the launch. The State of Illinois is working on additional incentives for the expansion, and Rivian's stock has seen a 20% increase since the R2 unveiling. The move to begin production in Illinois is expected to save capital and ensure funding through the start of R2 production, following in Tesla's footsteps to get EVs out quicker while saving money.