ATLANTA (AP) — It seems like a terrible time to build an electric vehicle plant in the United States, but Rivian Automotive leaders say they're confident as the company starts long-delayed work on a $5 billion facility in Georgia. The money-losing California-based company breaks ground Tuesday east of Atlanta despite President Donald Trump’s successful push to roll back electric vehicle tax credits. Starting Sept. 30, buyers will no longer qualify for savings of up to $7,500 per car. Rivian Chief Policy ...

Core Insights - Rivian is set to resume preparatory work on its Georgia factory in August, aiming to break ground early next year, following a $6.6 billion funding approval from the Biden administration's Department of Energy [1][9] - The company has invested over $80 million in the project as of June 20, 2025, with plans for "deep utilities" installation starting in August and "vertical construction" beginning in Q1 2026 [2] - Rivian is actively engaging with existing suppliers to explore co-location opportunities near the Georgia factory, which is expected to support the production of the R2 SUV and R3 hatchback by 2028 [3] Investment and Job Creation - As of June 2025, Rivian's investment in the Georgia factory has increased from $41 million in July 2024 to over $80 million, creating 46 full-time jobs so far [2] - The company plans to leverage Georgia's strong automotive supplier base to optimize logistics costs and enhance the supply chain, which is expected to promote regional and national job growth [14] Project Timeline and Challenges - Rivian initially announced the Georgia factory project post-IPO in late 2021, with original plans for construction to start in 2022 and production by 2024, backed by $5 billion investment and $1.5 billion in state incentives [7][8] - The project faced delays due to local opposition and supply chain issues, leading Rivian to prioritize expansion at its Illinois factory instead [8] - The timeline for the Georgia project was pushed back, with the company announcing the delay in 2024 during the unveiling of the R2 SUV and R3 hatchback [8] Government Engagement - Rivian's CEO RJ Scaringe met with Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp in May to discuss ongoing work and project updates, indicating a strong partnership with the state [4] - The company is coordinating with the state's economic development department to identify existing suppliers in the region that can support the factory's operations [13][14]