- Rivian is responding to reports of bed bugs in an “isolation area” at its Illinois factory.
- Bug problems come as Rivian ramps up a second production shift.
- Rivian has not noticed any impact on production from these pest control measures.
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Electric vehicle startup Rivian faces a new challenge this week: it has bed bugs.
The company has received reports of bed bug sightings on forklifts in an “isolation area” at its Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility.
“We are investigating each report and taking appropriate action in accordance with our pest control company,” Rivian spokesman Zach Dietmeier said in an emailed statement to Insider.
Dietmeier listed the following measures being taken by Rivian to address the bed bug problem:
- Rivian hired a professional pest control company.
- All forklifts in the affected area have been quarantined and treated. As a preventive measure, Rivian will also treat other forklifts and tow tractors over the weekend.
- As a preventive measure, Rivian has also treated the transport shuttles.
Rivian has not noticed any impact on production from these pest control measures.
The bug reports come as Rivian works to ramp up a second shift of production at its assembly plant this quarter. The start-up is rushing to meet its annual production target of 25,000 vehicles this year.
At the end of the third quarter, Rivian had produced 14,317 pickups, SUVs and vans since the beginning of the year, of which 12,278 vehicles had been delivered to customers. However, the launch of the lower-priced R2 platform will be delayed from 2025 to 2026, which analysts say is likely delaying a turning point for material volume increases.
