Ford Motor Company - Ford is shifting away from all-electric vehicles (EVs) and will no longer produce an all-electric version of its popular F-150 truck, focusing instead on lower-priced EVs and hybrids [1][3] - This strategic change will incur a one-time charge of $19.5 billion but is expected to align the auto lineup with customer demand and potentially lead to stronger profits in the long term [3] - Ford's stock is currently trading near 52-week highs, with a price-to-earnings ratio above its five-year average, indicating that it may not be an attractive option for value investors [4] Rivian Automotive - Rivian is preparing to launch the R2, a lower-priced EV truck model aimed at expanding sales and achieving sustainable profitability [6][8] - The company has sufficient cash to bring the R2 to market by 2026, but consumer demand for the vehicle remains uncertain until it is available for sale [8] - Given the significance of the R2 launch, conservative investors may prefer to wait for sales results before investing, while aggressive investors might also hold off due to the product's importance [9] Investment Outlook - Currently, neither Ford nor Rivian stocks are considered strong buys, with potential changes in investment attractiveness depending on Ford's stock price movements or the success of Rivian's R2 launch [10]

Group 1 - Rivian Automotive's share price has decreased approximately 82% from its IPO price since its initial public offering in November 2021 [1] - The company is expected to achieve a gross profit for the full year of 2025, having already reported gross profits in two of the first three quarters of that year [2] - Rivian's significant goal for 2026 is to launch the mass-market electric vehicle, the R2, which is crucial for its long-term profitability [4] Group 2 - Achieving a gross profit does not equate to positive earnings, as Rivian still incurs additional costs beyond production [5] - The successful launch and reception of the R2 is essential for Rivian to spread its costs over a larger number of vehicles and move towards sustainable profitability [6] - With around $7 billion in cash and short-term investments, the likelihood of the R2 launch is high, making it an attractive option for aggressive investors [7]

With Rivian set to start releasing its R2 vehicles this year, is the stock a great buy right now?Rivian Automotive (RIVN +7.83%) hit the market with its initial public offering (IPO) and saw massive gains shortly after its debut. The company's share price hit its all-time high of roughly $172 per share less than a week after going public, but it's seen big pullback since hitting that valuation peak.As of this writing, Rivian is trading at roughly $14 per share -- down approximately 92% from its high. Could ...

Rivian is an innovative EV company making some neat trucks and SUVs, but is it a buy at these prices?When you look at young electric vehicle (EV) companies like Rivian Automotive (RIVN 0.28%), they seem like great opportunities at first. They've usually got a solid product that gets good reviews. But in terms of financials they're often on shaky ground. That's why, despite the potential of any of these EV companies, Tesla (TSLA 3.76%) and Ford Motor Company both look like stronger EV plays right now.And whi ...

While electric vehicle (EV) continue to draw investor interest, they are no longer trading on hype alone. Instead, investors are picking stakes in companies that demonstrate growing demand, scaling production, improving margins, and limited dilution risk. Two key contenders are U.S.-based Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) and China-based Nio (NYSE: NIO). Both EV companies offer solid products and offerings, but one of them seems better positioned for the next couple of years. Let's see which one. Where to ...

Core Insights - Rivian is facing challenges including the end of federal support for EVs, increased hybrid vehicle sales, and significant cash burn rates, but the CEO emphasizes that the situation is more complex than it appears [1] Vehicle Performance and Features - The R1 model is the best-selling premium electric SUV in the U.S. and has also been a top seller in California, with the R1S starting at nearly $80,000 [2] - The upcoming R2 model is designed to be a more affordable option, targeting the midsize, mid-price SUV EV market, with a starting price of $45,000 [9] - The R2 features a familiar design language, five seats, and is described as agile and capable of off-road driving, though not as extreme as the R1 [3][4][6] Cost Structure and Manufacturing - Rivian has significantly reduced the number of computing units in its vehicles from over 60 in traditional cars to seven in the R2, which has also led to a reduction in wiring length by 2 miles [7] - The company has achieved a dramatic reduction in the cost structure, enabling a ramp-up in production volume while maintaining a focus on quality and customer satisfaction [8][9] Market Outlook and Financials - Analysts are divided on Rivian's ability to compete with Tesla, with expectations of selling around 15,000 R2 units in 2026, although some believe this number could be exceeded [10] - Rivian burned through $3 billion in cash in the first three quarters of 2025, with projections of burning $5 billion in 2026, but has secured a $5 billion deal with Volkswagen that could bring in an additional $2 billion [11][12] - The company aims to capture significant market share with the R2, similar to the R1, which could lead to production challenges if demand exceeds supply [13]

Core Insights - Rivian Automotive has experienced significant stock decline, dropping over 90% from its all-time high, despite initial success with its R1T electric truck [1] - The upcoming R2 vehicle launch is anticipated to be a pivotal moment for the company, potentially transforming its market position [2][6] Financial Performance - Rivian's gross margin has improved alongside sales growth, indicating progress towards financial sustainability [3] - The company has successfully reengineered its R1T and R1S models to lower manufacturing costs and has increased revenue from higher-margin EV regulatory credit sales and software services [4] - Free cash flow losses have decreased to less than $500 million over the past four quarters, with the company holding $7 billion in cash as a financial buffer [5] Future Projections - Analysts project Rivian's revenue to reach approximately $6.8 billion by the end of the year, with an expected increase to $11.2 billion in fiscal 2026 following the R2 launch [7] - The R2 is priced at $45,000, significantly lower than the R1S's starting price of around $78,000, which could help Rivian penetrate the mainstream automotive market [6] Investment Considerations - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 3, which is considered a bargain compared to Tesla but higher than traditional automotive companies [7] - Investing in Rivian before the R2 launch may be seen as a speculative opportunity, with potential for increased market confidence and valuation if the launch is successful [8]

Core Viewpoint - Rivian Automotive is on track to achieve its significant goal for 2026, but the critical question remains whether consumers will purchase the vehicles it plans to produce [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Rivian specializes in manufacturing all-electric vehicles, focusing on trucks for both business and consumer markets, with a notable partnership with Amazon to support its delivery truck production [2] - The company initially targeted the high-end consumer market, which was a strategic decision to manage production costs effectively before scaling up [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Rivian has achieved a gross profit with its R1 vehicle, indicating that it is generating more revenue from vehicle sales than the production costs, and is expected to maintain this profitability throughout 2025 [4] - Despite achieving gross profit, Rivian still faces significant costs in research and development, as well as administrative expenses, which contribute to ongoing losses [5] Group 3: Future Plans - Rivian's major goal for 2026 is to launch the R2, a lower-cost truck aimed at the mass market, supported by $7 billion in cash reserves for its development [6] - The success of the R2 is crucial for Rivian's long-term viability, as increasing production volume is necessary to achieve sustainable profitability [7] Group 4: Investment Considerations - The current stock price below $20 presents a potential buying opportunity ahead of the R2 launch, but investor confidence hinges on consumer reception of the new model [8] - Given the uncertainties surrounding the R2's market acceptance, even aggressive investors may consider waiting before making investment decisions [9]

Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN), a producer of electric vehicles, went public at $78 on Nov. 10, 2021. Today, its stock trades at $15. It initially attracted a lot of attention because it already delivered its first vehicles, and its top investors were Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Ford (NYSE: F). However, Rivian lost its luster after missing ambitious production targets, incurring steep losses, and failing to justify its sky-high valuations. Ford also scrapped its plans to co-develop an electric pickup with Rivian and ...

Core Insights - Rivian Automotive, Inc. is supporting a citizen-led ballot initiative in Washington state to allow electric vehicle manufacturers to sell directly to consumers, aiming to compete with Tesla's unique advantage in the market [1][8] - The initiative is backed by the Washington Coalition for Consumer Choice and Innovation, which seeks to extend direct sales rights to more EV companies [2] - Current state law mandates vehicle purchases through dealerships, limiting direct sales by manufacturers like Rivian and Lucid Group, with Tesla being the only exception for over a decade [3][8] Initiative Details - The coalition must gather at least 308,911 valid voter signatures by early July to qualify for the ballot, with a recommendation to collect around 390,000 signatures to account for potential invalid entries [5] - The specific organizations behind the coalition have not been disclosed, but they have hired Winner & Mandabach Campaigns, a consulting firm with a 90% success rate in ballot campaigns [4] Legislative Context - Previous efforts to pass legislation allowing direct sales by companies like Rivian and Lucid stalled in the state House, with arguments that such changes would accelerate EV adoption and help meet carbon reduction targets [6] Company Performance - Rivian has underperformed compared to the Zacks Automotive-Domestic industry, with shares gaining 16.7% over the past six months, while the industry grew by 35.4% [7] - From a valuation perspective, Rivian is trading at a forward sales multiple of 2.69, which is below the industry's 3.22, indicating it may be undervalued [10] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rivian's loss per share for 2025 has widened by a penny in the past week, and the estimate for 2026 has also widened by a penny in the past month [12]