Georgia has been positioning itself as an automotive hub in recent years. Multiple announced expansions by manufacturers and sellers are a sign that efforts are paying off.
The question now is, how far will Georgia go to embrace this sector? And if they fall short of giving automotive companies everything on their wish list, will the hub continue to grow?
Stalled direct sales legislation
Back in March, a coalition of electric vehicle (EV) companies, led by Rivian, released a statement in support of Georgia House Bill 460. The bill was drafted to allow EV manufacturers free reign to sell their products directly to consumers.
Rivian argued that existing legislation, requiring car sales be restricted to a physical dealership, should be lifted for dedicated EV manufacturers as they had no say in its creation. While there was some support for their argument, it ultimately couldn’t overcome fierce lobbying from established industry groups. Both the House bill and a similar Senate bill failed to pass.
Automotive remains on the rise
Despite their setback in the legislature, Rivian has said it will continue with plans for a new manufacturing facility in the state, set to employ 7,500 workers. Between Rivian and Carvana’s announcements alone, that’s 11,000 new automotive jobs over the next few years. In short, Georgia’s growth as an automotive hub doesn’t seem likely to falter anytime soon. To keep up with that growth, vehicle storage, inspection and logistics properties are going to be increasingly important going forward.