Rivian is focused on finding other sources of rare earth materials and magnets, says CEO RJ Scaringe

Core Insights - Rivian reported better-than-expected financial results, with a smaller loss of $0.65 per share compared to the anticipated loss of $0.72 per share, and revenue of $1.56 billion, slightly above expectations [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved a gross profit of $24 million in Q3, marking three out of the last four quarters with positive gross profit, and a gross margin of 2%, a significant improvement from a negative 45% in Q3 of the previous year [2] - Software and services revenue reached $154 million, contrasting with a loss of $13 million in Q3 of the previous year [2] Production and Guidance - Rivian reaffirmed its delivery guidance for the year, expecting between 415,000 and 435,000 deliveries, and projected a loss of $2.25 billion to $2.5 billion [3] - The company is on track to begin production of the R2 model in the middle of next year, supported by over $7 billion in cash or cash equivalents [5][9] Operational Efficiency - The company reported low costs of goods sold (COGS) per unit produced, indicating improved operational efficiency in plant operations and material costs [4] - Rivian has invested in over 2 million square feet of new infrastructure at its Illinois facility to support the ramp-up of R2 production [5] Market Challenges - The company acknowledged concerns regarding rare earth materials and the ongoing discussions between the U.S. and China, but stated that these issues have not yet impacted production [6][8] - Rivian is actively seeking alternative sources for rare earth metals and developing solutions that require fewer rare earth materials [8][9] Market Outlook - The company observed a pull-forward in demand in September due to the end of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), followed by a lull in October, but remains optimistic about long-term growth in the electric vehicle (EV) market [10]