Plymouth, Michigan-based Rivian, an auto company that designs emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles, plans to locate its newest customer engagement center in Normal, Illinois.

The company that has facilities in Plymouth, Michigan; Normal, Illinois; San Jose and Irvine, California; Vancouver, Canada; and the United Kingdom, plans to hire 40 employees by the end of the year. Its Customer Engagement Complex will be located adjacent to its Normal manufacturing plant. Rivian says there are benefits to locating its customer-relations staff near where the vehicles are made.

“We know there is a deep well of customer service expertise in the Bloomington-Normal area, and we can’t wait to center a portion of that talent around our plant operation,” Tony Caravano, Rivian’s senior director of retail and customer experience, said in a statement.

Rivian is spending over $750 million to prepare its assembly plant for production of electric trucks and SUVs. First delivery of Rivian's vehicles is expected in 2021.

“Imagine being in contact with our customers every day while having the ability to watch our teams build their vehicles," Caravano told the station. "You’re going to feel excited, and you’ll transfer that enthusiasm directly to our consumer community."