TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s savior

Group 1 - Rivian's fourth-quarter and full-year earnings highlight the importance of its technology joint venture with Volkswagen Group, which is expected to generate an additional $2 billion in 2026 [3][6] - The cost of goods sold (COGS) per unit for Rivian's automotive portfolio decreased from $110,400 in 2024 to $100,900 in 2025, indicating improved efficiency and reduced losses per vehicle sold [4] - Rivian plans to launch the lower-cost R2 SUV in June 2026, which is anticipated to significantly impact production costs and sales volume [5][6] Group 2 - Rivian expects to deliver between 62,000 and 67,000 vehicles in 2026, representing a potential increase of up to 59% from the 42,247 vehicles delivered in 2025 [6][7] - The positive earnings guidance led to a 27% increase in Rivian's stock price following the earnings report [7] Group 3 - Lyft is currently holding approximately $1.8 billion in cash and has initiated a $1 billion share repurchase program, raising questions about its investment strategy in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector compared to competitors like Uber [9]