- Rivian has built its 100,000 vehicle – a white R1S – at their plant in Normal, Illinois.
- The Rivian R1T was also recently named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Rivian continues to bask in the spotlight as the company has hit a major production milestone. In a post on X, CEO RJ Scaringe revealed the automaker has built its 100,000 vehicle in Normal, Illinois.
The executive didn’t elaborate, but he posted a picture showing the landmark vehicle was a white R1S SUV. While details about the model are limited, producing 100,000 vehicles is a major accomplishment and one that eludes a number of automotive startups.
More: Rivian Stops Taking New Orders For R1T And R1S Until Late Summer
The good news doesn’t end there as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently announced the 2024 Rivian R1T has become a Top Safety Pick+. That’s the highest tier and is an upgrade from the truck’s earlier rating as a Top Safety Pick.
This is notable as the R1T is the only large pickup to be a Top Safety Pick+ for 2024. The only other model to even chart is the 2024 Toyota Tundra, which is a Top Safety Pick.
To earn Top Safety Pick status, vehicles need a good rating in the small overlap front test, a good rating in the original moderate overlap front test, and a good rating in the updated side test. They also need good or acceptable headlights as well as a good or acceptable rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention test.
What separates a Top Safety Pick from a Top Safety Pick+ is getting a good or acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. As the IIHS explained, “The updated moderate overlap test adds a dummy in the rear seat, pushing manufacturers to improve safety in the second row.” The organization added the R1T preformed well as the dummy had a low risk of head, neck and chest injuries while the lap and shoulder belt remained properly positioned during the crash.
