Electric Vehicle Maker Rivian Is Running on All Cylinders

Newsweek

15 hours ago

Rivian is running on all cylinders. Despite the newness of the electric vehicle company, it has quickly garnered a strong fan following and is scheduled to grow beyond its two-model lineup this year. In addition to product, the company is moving forward with plans to establish an East Coast operations hub in Atlanta, Georgia, and a second factory an hour outside the city.
Despite its newness, Rivian is one of America's Greatest Companies 2025 as determined by Newsweek based on a competitive analysis of comprehensive reviews that were supported by third-party data. Rivian's CEO, RJ Scaringe, was named Newsweek's World's Greatest Auto Disruptor Executive of the Year in 2024.
"We've always approached growth with a long-term view, focusing on vertical integration, strong financial discipline and strategic growth," Rivian's chief people officer Scott Griffin told Newsweek.
The company's R2 and R3 SUVs are next up in the product development cycle. "With R2 and R3, we're expanding our brand story in a way that makes adventure more accessible, without compromising the design, performance, and technology that define Rivian. These vehicles are a major step forward in our engineering evolution: built on a new midsize platform that enables more efficiency, faster production, and lower cost, while still delivering the capability and versatility people expect from us," Griffin said.
Rivian's Nashville location.
Rivian's Nashville location.
Rivian
"From a brand perspective, R2 and R3 let us reach a broader audience: people who are ready for electric but haven't yet found a vehicle that fits their lifestyle or values. We're sharing our purpose-driven design, class-leading technology, and off-road capability into something that can live in more environments," he continued.
The company has been criticized for its choosiness and selections, but it's paying off in profits. "By developing our own software, hardware and infrastructure, we've created an agile platform that allows us to adapt quickly, while scaling responsibly and effectively. We're also deliberate about the markets we enter, building strong communities of passionate owners and delivering a product experience that earns loyalty. Ultimately, our viability comes down to one thing: stay true to our mission. We are here to inspire people to explore the world and protect it for future generations. As long as we're doing that with integrity and innovation, we're confident we are building something that will last," Griffin said.
Rivian often receives praise for its adherence to a cohesive company image, from its Outpost charging points to Spaces company stores to marketing initiatives. It's part of a deliberate act by the company to create a narrative and culture that fits from top to bottom.
"We've always believed that our greatest strength comes from bringing ALL people together with a commitment to creating a future where every individual is valued, connected, and empowered to contribute their best work. We are intentionally cultivating an environment that fosters both high performance and deep connection. The culture we build at Rivian is our most important long-term advantage. Whether it's our teams, our spaces or how we work, everything is designed to spark innovation, strengthen collaboration, and make people proud to be a part of Rivian," Griffin said.
The company hosts events at its Irvine, California, headquarters and Normal, Illinois, factory that fit into its cultural ethos. "We create meaningful connection and memories through engaging in-person events like our annual Family & Friends Days, our Holidazzzler celebration, and community 5K runs. Digitally, our intranet, The Current, plays a huge role in keeping everyone at the company informed and engaged with the latest news and information. We also have monthly Company Updates with our CEO and other leaders to share key priorities and provide employee recognition. Together, these efforts help foster a culture where employees feel connected, valued and inspired by our mission to keep the world adventurous forever," he said.
Growing buy-in from an employee when they start with the company can be easier than maintaining their allegiance. Griffin said: "Maintaining a positive work environment as we grow is a deliberate and ongoing effort. It starts with clearly defined company values, so everyone understands what matters most, regardless of how fast we scale.
"We invest in consistent, meaningful communication that both informs and inspires. Through robust internal channels, we meet employees where they are, keeping them connected to our mission and each other. We provide employees the opportunity to make meaningful contributions agnostic to their amount of experience. For example - our interns are both amazed and delighted when their work becomes new content in our vehicles.
"Our leaders also play a critical role in shaping our culture. We support them through tools, training and regular touchpoints such as senior leadership meetings and monthly updates, so they can guide their teams effectively through change while reinforcing what makes Rivian a great place to work."
Though its business is the here and now, Rivian is preparing for the future and taking a hard look at its impact as a company. "What excites our team most about the future is the opportunity to scale our impact. We are bringing category defining products to market that provide consumers with choices never before available.
"Our employees came to Rivian to bring extraordinary products to life. With R2 on the near horizon, we're entering a new chapter, bringing our mission to broader audiences and making electric vehicles accessible to more people. But it's not just about the products. It's about what they represent: progress toward a more sustainable future, innovation that pushes the boundaries and a company culture that empowers people to do meaningful work.
"No matter what team you are on at Rivian, there's a sense that we're building something that truly matters and that's incredibly energizing for our employees," Griffin said.