Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian has commenced the construction of its new production facility outside Social Circle in the US state of Georgia.

The site is designated for the assembly of Rivian's next-generation vehicles, including the R2 SUV and R3 crossover.

It is expected to create jobs, with projections indicating 7,500 positions by 2030 and an additional 2,000 roles during the construction phase.

The initial phase of the plant's construction is scheduled to start in 2026, with the production of vehicles for customers anticipated to kick off in 2028.

Once fully operational after the second phase of construction, the site’s capacity could reach 400,000 vehicles annually, Rivian said.

The EV-maker did not disclose the financial details but said the plan is a “multibillion-dollar investment”.

Rivian noted that it is engaging with the Georgia community, establishing alliances with educational institutions and government bodies to support its expansion.

The plant's design incorporates modern construction techniques and stringent environmental management, with plans to integrate the nearly 2,000-acre site into the local environment.

Rivian CEO and founder RJ Scaringe said: “We are cementing Rivian's future at our Georgia plant, helping ensure America maintains its technology leadership and excellence in automobile manufacturing.

“Our Georgia facility will support our global expansion and provide the scale necessary to get millions of future drivers in our incredible all-electric vehicles, both in the United States and overseas.”  

In January 2025, Rivian finalised a loan agreement for up to $6.6bn with the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office to support the development of the Stanton Springs North EV production facility.

A month later, the electric truck manufacturer announced its first-ever quarterly gross profit of $170m for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The result represented a shift from a $606m loss recorded in the same quarter the previous year.

Over the entire year, Rivian reported a net loss of $4.74bn, equivalent to $4.69 per share.

The company's annual revenue reached $4.97bn, showing an increase from $4.43bn in 2023.