Michigan-based automakers Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) and General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM) are reportedly working on dedicated programs that could extend the IRA EV credit beyond President Donald Trump's September 30 deadline.An Unofficial Federal EV Credit Extension?According to internal documents, as well as sources, obtained by Reuters on Monday, the companies' financing arms are initiating purchases of EVs by paying dealers a down payment, qualifying these lenders for the EV credit. This would let retailers off ...

Production & Expansion - Rivian is building a \$5 billion plant in Stanton Springs to scale global production [1] - The new plant is planned to produce 400,000 units annually [2] - Production at the new plant is expected to begin in 2028 [2] EV Demand & Market - The industry anticipates a dip in EV sales starting next quarter [2] - Rivian is optimistic about EV demand beyond the short-term impact of the tax credit ending, particularly for the R2 model [3][4] - The R2 is a five-passenger SUV starting at \$45,000 [4] Supply Chain & Raw Materials - Rivian is dependent on China for heavy rare earth metal exports in the short term [7] - Rivian is developing technologies to build motors without heavy rare earth metals [8] - Rivian is focused on assessing and ensuring the health of its supply base, particularly tier 2, 3, and 4 suppliers [9][10] Government & Partnerships - Rivian has a strong relationship with the Department of Energy [12] - Rivian has a \$5.8 billion joint venture and software supply agreement with Volkswagen [13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record sales and adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025, with adjusted EBITDA at $58 million, a 20% increase compared to the previous year [10][23][26] - Revenue for Q3 reached $398 million, which is $65 million or 20% higher than the prior year [11][23] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $52 million, significantly higher than the previous year [23][30] - The company raised its full-year guidance for adjusted EBITDA to $210 million, reflecting a 14.5% margin [33][42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company sold 2,467 buses in Q3, marking a 15% increase year-over-year [23] - Electric vehicle (EV) sales reached a record 271 units, which is 33% higher than the previous year [25][26] - Parts revenue remained flat at $26 million year-over-year [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog at the end of Q3 was nearly 4,000 units, indicating a slight decrease due to tariff uncertainties [24][25] - The average selling price for buses increased by approximately $7,700 per unit compared to the previous quarter [14][26] - The company noted that the fleet is aging, leading to a heavy replacement cycle, which is expected to drive future demand [13][54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing its manufacturing strategy, including automation and production efficiency improvements [6][9] - Investment in differentiated products and features is planned to drive top-line growth [9][10] - The company aims to maintain a competitive edge in alternative-powered vehicles, particularly in the EV segment [7][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term outlook for EVs, despite current demand softening due to tariff uncertainties [7][16] - The company is well-positioned to navigate tariff impacts to achieve a margin-neutral outcome [10][90] - Management believes the current order drop is temporary and expects a pickup in orders as tariff uncertainties stabilize [54][90] Other Important Information - The company has initiated production at its new MicroBird plant, which will double small bus capacity [18][19] - A new share repurchase program of up to $100 million has been approved, reflecting strong cash flow generation [32][45] - The company is also working on a new commercial chassis, expected to enter production in 2026 [20][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Order and backlog commentary - Management noted that the drop in backlog was consistent with industry trends and attributed it to tariff uncertainties, which are expected to stabilize [50][52][54] Question: Operational improvements and margin sustainability - Management confirmed that operational improvements have contributed to margin stability and that they are less sensitive to product mix changes [58][60] Question: EV sales visibility and backlog - The company has 500 EV units in backlog and projects to sell about 200 units in Q4, with additional opportunities expected from EPA funding [68][70] Question: Pricing strategy and market conditions - Management discussed their pricing strategy, emphasizing that tariffs are viewed as a tax and that customers understand the need for price adjustments [88][92] Question: Long-term growth outlook and chassis orders - Management highlighted that the new commercial chassis and MicroBird expansion will contribute to revenue growth and profitability [98][99]

Tesla CEO Elon Musk will look to get investors plugged back in to the bull thesis on a stock that has tanked 19% year to date. The EV maker will report earnings on Wednesday with the street focused on how Musk's volatile political positions and weak EV demand aims to shape the business into 2026. Of course, when it comes to big tech, this is going to be a huge week with Tesla.And when it comes to sales, the US, we're slipping. We're slipping abroad. There's a lot of competition on that front and cheaper EV ...

Core Insights - Rivian Automotive's R1S is currently the best-selling electric SUV in the premium segment, contributing to the company's brand building efforts [3] - Consumer intent to repurchase Rivian vehicles stands at 86%, significantly higher than competitors, indicating strong customer loyalty [3] - Macroeconomic factors are impacting overall consumer sentiment, which may affect the electric vehicle market [4]

Rivian Automotive (RIVN) 2025 Conference Summary Industry Overview - The electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing strong demand, with Rivian's R1S being the best-selling electric SUV in the premium segment [3][4] - Consumer sentiment is currently influenced by macroeconomic factors, impacting overall demand for EVs [3][4] Company Performance and Strategy - Rivian's R1 product lineup has shown strong consumer loyalty, with an 86% intent to repurchase, significantly higher than competitors [3] - The company aims to expand its brand recognition and accessibility, particularly with the upcoming R2 model priced starting at approximately $45,000 [6] Commercial Vehicle Market - Rivian is optimistic about the electrification of both consumer and commercial vehicles, although the commercial market is progressing more slowly [8] - The company is actively working with fleet providers to demonstrate the efficiency and cost benefits of its electric delivery vans [8] Tariff and Cost Management - Rivian previously estimated a couple thousand dollars impact per vehicle due to tariffs, but recent policy changes have provided a more favorable outlook [9] - The company has successfully reduced its cost of goods sold per unit by $22,500 year-over-year, primarily through engineering changes and redesigns [14] Battery Sourcing and Technology - Rivian sources battery cells from Samsung SDI and plans to bring more battery production onshore to the U.S. to mitigate tariff exposure [10] - The company is also working on reducing reliance on rare earth materials through engineering-driven solutions [13] Joint Venture with Volkswagen - In Q1, Rivian generated $167 million in revenue from its joint venture with Volkswagen, with significant contributions from development services and intellectual property [23] - Rivian expects to receive $2 billion from Volkswagen in 2026, including milestone payments for vehicle programs [25] R2 Model Development - Rivian is progressing towards the R2 model's production, with successful design validation builds and plans for manufacturing validation builds [30] - The company anticipates starting official saleable production in the first half of next year [30] Financial Outlook - Rivian expects to sell approximately $300 million in regulatory credits this year, with a significant portion already sold in Q1 [20] - The company aims to achieve EBITDA positivity by 2027, supported by revenue from software and services [45] Commercial Partnerships - Amazon has committed to purchasing 100,000 vehicles by 2030, with over 20,000 already in operation [49] - Rivian is focusing on demonstrating the benefits of its commercial vans to larger fleets, despite a slower transition to EVs in the current economic climate [50] Future Growth and Capacity - Rivian is expanding its facilities, including a new plant in Georgia, to support long-term growth and scaling opportunities [41] - The company is also exploring potential exports to build its brand internationally [34]