Rivian has announced a capacity expansion at its future electric vehicle (EV) plant in Stanton Springs North, Georgia. The plant previously had an expected annual production of 200,000 vehicles; Rivian has now raised its target to 300,000 vehicles.
The expanded capacity represents a 50% increase in annual output. Rivian says this will lead to lower unit costs for the EVs it is to produce at the new plant: the R2 SUV and R3 crossover. The company expects larger market opportunities for the all-new R2, Rivian’s more affordable SUV, which is why it will be a key focus of the new Georgia plant.
The larger production means greater efficiency and lower costs. Rivian says the new plant will help boost the local Georgia economy by encouraging increased vehicle production in America. The plant plans to employ 7,500 workers by 2030, and 8,000 indirect jobs are also expected to be created. Over $1 billion in revenue is expected annually from these 15,000-plus jobs, according to Rivian.
The EV plant’s production was initially delayed in 2024 to conserve funds for the R2’s launch and delivery. But by last summer, the plant’s plans were ready to move forward. Rivian plans to draw on a $4.5 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan in early 2027, and remains on track for vehicle production at the plant to begin in late 2028. The all-new Rivian R2 started production last month at Rivian’s existing plant in Normal, Illinois, seen pictured above, which builds the R1S, R1T, and electric cargo vans used by Amazon.
The stamping press area of the new Georgia facility, one of the most demanding construction projects for the plant, already has preparatory work underway. As more primary buildings begin to materialize at the plant, production for the rest of the plant will improve rapidly.
The Georgia facility will also build robotaxis under Rivian’s partnership with Uber, announced last month. Up to 50,000 robotaxis are expected to be built at the plant, with 10,000 planned for deployment in Miami and San Francisco in the initial early stages in 2028.
Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, is a minority investor in Rivian.
