ORLANDO, Fla. — Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is accelerating its expansion on the East Coast with the opening of a new dealership and service warehouse in Orlando. This move intensifies competition with industry leader Tesla, which is currently facing market uncertainty due to a change in federal policy.
The California-based EV company has signed a lease for a 34,938-square-foot facility located at 4000 Shader Road, which is now fully occupied by Rivian. The site, previously used as a call center since 2004, had remained vacant since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new location will serve as both a maintenance and vehicle delivery hub, marking Rivian’s first physical retail presence in the Orlando area.
The property is part of the Shader Logistics Center and was leased through CBRE on behalf of the landlord, Ultimate Realty. Joe Sabbagh, the founder of Ultimate Realty, noted, “We see the Shader Logistics Center asset as a prime example of the opportunity for underused, but viable, hybrid office space in the current macro environment. This project demonstrates how these properties can be repositioned to add value and revitalize local communities on a long-term basis.”
Rivian plans to employ approximately 25 staff members at the facility, which will support regional delivery and service operations while also allowing customers to shop and purchase vehicles directly on-site. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to build a nationwide network of service and sales centers as it aims to deliver between 40,000 and 46,000 electric trucks and SUVs by 2025.
This expansion comes at a time of financial improvement for Rivian. The company reported a $541 million net loss in the first quarter of 2025, a significant reduction from the $1.45 billion loss experienced in the same period the previous year. Company leadership remains optimistic about its growth trajectory, especially with new products, such as the R2 SUV, on the way.
In contrast, Rivian’s biggest rival, Tesla, is facing new challenges following former President Donald Trump’s announcement during a campaign event that, if re-elected, he would end federal subsidies for Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers. This news caused Tesla’s stock to drop significantly, contributing to a multi-day decline on Wall Street. Shares of the automaker fell by more than 7% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the announcement, adding to existing investor concerns about declining margins and slowing EV demand in key markets.
Tesla has long benefited from federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases, which have played a crucial role in its early dominance. The potential removal of these incentives under a second Trump administration introduces new uncertainty for the company’s business model in the U.S.
Despite still posting losses, Rivian is positioning itself as a viable challenger in the EV market by forming partnerships with Amazon and pursuing a direct-to-consumer approach in key metropolitan areas like Orlando.
As the 2026 election season intensifies and electric vehicle policy becomes a political battleground, Rivian’s investment in growth in Florida—a state with a rising population and increasing car demand—could be pivotal in establishing a stronger national presence.
