Asian Tech Press (Nov 16) -- Rivian, an electric-vehicle startup backed by Amazon and Ford, will build a second electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Georgia, U.S., and is already in advanced discussions, according to media reports.

Previously, Rivian already had a plant in Normal, Illinois, which produces the company's all-electric R1T pickup truck.

In late July, four people familiar with the matter said Rivian was planning to build a second assembly plant in the United States. At the time, the sources also said the company's second U.S. plant would produce its all-electric vehicles and batteries.

The plant will include a 50 GWh battery production facility to be built in phases, as well as a product and technology center.

At the end of July this year, it was reported that the company plans to invest $5 billion to build a second electric vehicle assembly plant in the United States.

In August, documents from Fort Worth, Texas, showed that Rivian was considering investing at least $5 billion to build a new manufacturing plant near the city, covering about 2,000 acres and creating at least 7,500 jobs in 2027.

Rivian has not confirmed nor denied whether the city of Fort Worth is the top choice for the new plant, but a company spokesman said in August that the company is in discussions with multiple locations.