Add Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the long list of difficulties confronting Rivian as it attempts to scale up production in Normal.

Rivian's newest SEC filing, released late last week, made numerous references to Ukraine's 5-week-old war. It is one of a long number of "risk factors" that face Rivian — disclosures that Rivian makes to investors to ensure they understand the hazards associated with their investment.

"Russian military actions and the resulting sanctions could have a negative impact on the global economy and financial markets, resulting in instability and a lack of liquidity in capital markets, potentially making it more difficult for us to raise additional capital and further disrupting the supply chain," Rivian said. 

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Any of the mentioned issues might have a major unfavourable effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows. The magnitude and duration of military action, sanctions, and the consequent market and/or supply disruptions are impossible to anticipate, but they might be significant. "

Rivian began EV production six months ago, but it has progressed more slowly than anticipated. COVID-19 and worldwide supply chain constraints have posed difficulties for a number of automakers, including Rivian. The semiconductor, or chip, shortage has been particularly agonising. Rivian stated that supply chain issues would effectively cut production in half by 2022.

Rivian argues that as a result of supply chain challenges and "the current inflationary environment in the United States," the cost of input materials, components, and systems used to manufacture its vehicles has increased significantly.

For example, Rivian notes that "significant rises in the cost of critical metals, including lithium, nickel, aluminium, and cobalt, have occurred in recent months, with volatility in pricing projected to persist for the foreseeable future." Several of the metals are used in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries.

And, "in response to these and potential cost constraints, we have increased, and may need to continue to increase, the pricing of our vehicles," the business stated.

Rivian manufactures its electric SUVs, trucks, and vans at its Normal manufacturing facility. With approximately 5,000 employees, it is McLean County's second-largest employer.

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Rivian Employees in Normal