Rivian is increasing the initial production capacity at its forthcoming Stanton Springs North, Georgia manufacturing facility to 300,000 vehicles annually, a 50 percent jump from the previously planned 200,000 units. The revised phase-one design is paired with an updated U.S. Department of Energy loan of up to $4.5 billion, down from the $6.6 billion conditional commitment finalized in January 2025. Vertical construction is set to begin this spring, with vehicle production still on track for late 2028.
Highlights
- Phase-one capacity raised to 300,000 vehicles per year, a 50 percent increase from the original 200,000-unit target.
- DOE loan reduced to up to $4.5 billion, comprising $4,006 million in principal and $494 million in capitalized interest.
- First loan draw expected in early 2027, with vertical construction starting this spring.
- R2 midsize platform will anchor production at the plant, with vehicle output beginning in late 2028.
A Larger Phase One, a Smaller Loan
The revised plan compresses what was originally a two-phase, 400,000-unit build-out into a single, larger first phase. Rivian said the change is intended to lower per-unit cost while preserving room for additional capacity in later phases. Future expansion at the Georgia site would be funded by Rivian rather than through the DOE facility, according to comments CEO RJ Scaringe made to CNBC on Thursday.
The original DOE loan, structured under the Biden administration and closed in January 2025, was sized around two equal construction blocks. The reworked agreement aligns the financing with the new single-phase design and accelerates Rivian’s first draw on the loan to early 2027, a year ahead of the prior schedule.
R2 Anchors the Georgia Build
The Georgia plant will produce vehicles on Rivian’s midsize platform, led by the R2 SUV. R2 production began earlier this month at Rivian’s existing facility in Normal, Illinois, where the line is configured for 155,000 units annually. The Georgia facility will significantly expand that footprint as the company scales the lower-priced midsize platform.
“We’re very excited to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy to grow our manufacturing footprint in Georgia,” said Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. “R2 dramatically expands our market opportunity. The thousands of dedicated people who will soon work in our Georgia plant will be instrumental to Rivian’s growth as we scale American manufacturing and work to ensure that the U.S. retains its leadership in innovation and technology.”
Construction Cadence and Robotaxi Pipeline
Preparations are underway for the stamping press area, which Rivian describes as one of the most capital-intensive and technically demanding elements of the plant. Construction activity is expected to accelerate this summer as the facility’s primary buildings begin to take shape.
The company also reiterated that its recently announced partnership with Uber will see up to 50,000 robotaxis built at the Georgia plant beginning in late 2028, layering an autonomous-vehicle program on top of the consumer R2 production line.
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