Rivian Revives Georgia Plant to Build R2 and R3 by 2028

After a forced pause, Rivian is restarting construction of its third plant in Georgia, following those in California and Illinois.

• Rivian has officially relaunched its Georgia plant project, which had been put on hold in 2024.

• Construction is now expected to begin in 2026, with production slated for 2028.

• The facility will have an annual capacity of 400,000 vehicles and will assemble the upcoming Rivian R2 and R3.

A Project Back on Track After Delays

Rivian held a groundbreaking ceremony in Social Circle, Georgia, to mark the revival of its U.S. plant. Long described as an “on-again, off-again” project, it is finally moving forward, although actual construction isn’t expected before 2026.

The money-losing EV maker shared few technical details but confirmed the plant will be built in two phases. Each phase will enable production of 200,000 vehicles per year, for a total of 400,000 units destined for both the North American and international markets.

What Models Will Be Built?

The future Rivian R2 and Rivian R3 will be at the heart of production. The first vehicle from this Georgia facility is expected in 2028, roughly two years after R2 manufacturing begins at the company’s Normal, Illinois, plant.

The massive industrial complex will cover nearly 9 million square feet on a 2,000-acre site. Rivian also plans to add recreational trails for employees and customers, including a dedicated “Rivian Experience Trail.”

Jobs and Promises

With strong backing from the Biden administration and a US$6.6-billion federal loan obtained in 2024 from the U.S. Department of Energy, Rivian is promising major economic benefits. The company expects to create 2,000 construction jobs and 7,500 direct plant jobs by 2030. Nearly 8,000 indirect jobs are also projected in the neighbouring counties of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton.

Altogether, Rivian estimates these positions could generate more than US$1 billion in annual revenue, benefitting local suppliers and small businesses across the region.

Georgia: A Growing EV Hub

With this new plant, Rivian is reinforcing Georgia’s role as a hub for electric-vehicle production. The state already hosts Hyundai’s massive “Metaplant,” where the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 are assembled.

In an official statement, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said:

“We are securing Rivian’s future with our Georgia plant, ensuring that America remains a global leader in automotive innovation and manufacturing.”

He added that the new facility will give Rivian the necessary scale to bring “millions of drivers into 100% electric Rivian vehicles, both in the U.S. and internationally.”