Update: Georgia factory construction begins 2026, with R2/R3/R3X production in 2028 -- (article published 1/22/25)

[LeeY]

Could be a while before the R2s start rolling out.

Georgia Rivian plant to resume construction

After a pause due to high costs, the electric vehicle manufacturer anticipates work on the project near Atlanta to begin in 2026.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/georgia-rivian-resume-construction-doe/737872/

"Rivian anticipates that construction will begin in 2026 with production of the company’s R2 SUVs and R3 crossover vehicles starting in 2028."​

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[kurtlikevonnegut]

Could be a while before the R2s start rolling out.

I assume you mean R3. R2 will be built at the current Normal, IL plant to start until Georgia comes on line.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I assume you mean R3. R2 will be built at the current Normal, IL plant to start until Georgia comes on line.

Both R2 and R3 models were slated to be produced there. Rivian just altered plans slightly to bring some of the R2's production to Normal to expedite it's market release and further help the company reach profitability while they work to bring the Georgia plant online.

 

[DuoRivians]

I assume you mean R3. R2 will be built at the current Normal, IL plant to start until Georgia comes on line.

That’s right. Normal will have annual capacity of 155K R2 vehicles

 

[DuoRivian]

I thought the site had been cleared and graded so wondering why it will take 12 months before they start construction. If they could do it sooner R3 could be 2027
not 2028. Must have their reasons, just curious.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I thought the site had been cleared and graded so wondering why it will take 12 months before they start construction. If they could do it sooner R3 could be 2027
not 2028. Must have their reasons, just curious.

Maybe anticipating legal challenges to the loan and not wanting to jump the gun again with timeline expectations.

 

[R1SFamilyGuy]

Both R2 and R3 models were slated to be produced there. Rivian just altered plans slightly to bring some of the R2's production to Normal to expedite it's market release and further help the company reach profitability while they work to bring the Georgia plant online.

That’s right. Normal will have annual capacity of 155K R2 vehicles

Where can I read more about this? TIA!

 

[vandy1981]

This is actually good politically. They're reminding Georgia politicians of the jobs that are going to come with this factory at a time when their DOE loan is going to receive a lot of scrutiny.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

This is actually good politically. They're reminding Georgia politicians of the jobs that are going to come with this factory at a time when their DOE loan is going to receive a lot of scrutiny.

My thoughts exactly... the carrot and the stick.

 

[SANZC02]

I thought the site had been cleared and graded so wondering why it will take 12 months before they start construction. If they could do it sooner R3 could be 2027
not 2028. Must have their reasons, just curious.

My guess is playing it conservatively until they start shipping the R2 out of Normal.

I imagine they have had many of the same conversations in their board rooms since November 5th that have been bouncing around here. Might be prudent to get deep into 2025 to get a feel for the new landscape before going full speed into that project.

 

[ukyank]

Hopefully the local NIMBYs settle down this time

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Hopefully the local NIMBYs settle down this time

Once jobs = $$$$$ into local economy, they will suddenly suffer amnesia.

 

[BigSkies]

I thought the site had been cleared and graded so wondering why it will take 12 months before they start construction. If they could do it sooner R3 could be 2027
not 2028. Must have their reasons, just curious.

It could just be a definition thing. "Construction" might mean assembling buildings, while they're spending the coming months with more detailed site planning, getting utilities run to the site, etc.

I'd also suspect things like ordering massive stamping machines and contracting the expertise to set up a paint shop are things with multi-year lead times, and involve a lot of the same people that are setting up Normal for the R2. There are some things in the world that can be expedited, and some things that can't.

 

[dleepnw]

R2 production will start in Normal, but ramp up to meet expected demand will require the Georgia plan. R3/R3X is slated for Georgia as well. 2028 is a long ways away for the R3/R3X. Rivian might be regretting revealing it too soon.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

R2 production will start in Normal, but ramp up to meet expected demand will require the Georgia plan. R3/R3X is slated for Georgia as well. 2028 is a long ways away for the R3/R3X. Rivian might be regretting revealing it too soon.

I hope they can reach factory capacity, but I'm not so certain they will sell 155K R2's in the first few years....especially if the true production ramp doesn't happen until Q4 2026 or Q1 2027...competition should be fierce by then...very fierce.

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