Key Points Electric vehicle makers are still exploring the best way to pursue growth. Rivian is gearing up to offer new, more affordable EV models. Lucid is pursuing an opportunity in robotaxis by partnering with Uber. 10 stocks we like better than Rivian Automotive › Investors have long searched for the next Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA). It's no wonder why. Since 2010, Tesla shares have increased in value by more than 34,000%. Two of the most popular electric vehicle (EV) stocks today are Rivian Automo ...

Core Insights - Tesla remains a leading player in the electric vehicle (EV) market with a market cap of approximately $1.4 trillion, but faces increasing competition and challenges that threaten its dominance [1] - NIO, often referred to as the "Tesla of China," has a market cap of around $15 billion and is focusing on expanding its presence in the Chinese EV market, which is the largest globally [2] NIO's Position - NIO has a diverse lineup of vehicles, including sedans and SUVs, and has seen a 25.6% increase in deliveries to 72,056 units in the last quarter, with guidance for 87,000–91,000 deliveries in Q3, representing a year-over-year increase of 41-47% [3][4] - The company is targeting 50,000 units each for its NIO, ONVO, and Firefly brands in Q4, with margins expected to improve due to new models designed for around 20% gross margin [4][5] - NIO has established a battery swap network with over 3,500 stations globally, completing over 84 million swaps, which enhances customer interest in its vehicles [5] - Recently, NIO raised $1.16 billion through an equity offering to support R&D and infrastructure expansion, despite concerns about dilution [6] Tesla's Challenges - Tesla has experienced its first annual delivery decline in 2024, with further declines of 13% in both the first and second quarters of 2025, attributed to a dated vehicle lineup and increased competition [7] - The second quarter of 2025 marked Tesla's sharpest revenue drop in over a decade, with margins under pressure and a shrinking regulatory credit stream impacting pricing power [8][10] - Despite these challenges, there is some optimism among investors due to recent developments, including a proposed $975 billion pay package for Musk and his $1 billion share purchase [9] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tesla's 2025 EPS indicates a 31% decline year-over-year, with a projected 49% increase in 2026, while NIO's estimates suggest a year-over-year improvement of 36% in 2025 and 72% in 2026 [14][16] - Year-to-date, NIO shares have increased over 70%, significantly outperforming Tesla's 5% growth [12] Conclusion - NIO is gaining momentum with a broader vehicle lineup, rising deliveries, and a competitive advantage in battery swapping, positioning it favorably in the Chinese EV market [16] - Tesla, on the other hand, is grappling with declining sales and increased competition, making its near-term outlook more challenging despite its ambitious long-term projects [17] - Current rankings suggest NIO is better positioned than Tesla, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) for NIO compared to 4 (Sell) for Tesla [18]

Core Insights - Elon Musk's recent purchase of approximately $1 billion in Tesla shares indicates strong confidence in the company's future prospects, particularly in light of a significant pay proposal from the board that could be valued at over $1 trillion if performance milestones are met [1][2][4] Group 1: Stock Performance - Tesla shares experienced a notable increase of up to 7.3% in premarket trading following Musk's stock purchase, potentially marking a return to positive territory for 2025 after a 45% decline earlier in the year [2][4] - The stock's recovery is significant as it comes after a challenging first half of the year, where vehicle deliveries fell by 13% globally [4] Group 2: Musk's Investment History - Musk's last open-market purchase of Tesla stock occurred in February 2020, and he sold over $20 billion worth of shares in 2022 during his acquisition of Twitter [3][5] Group 3: Future Outlook - Despite Musk's optimistic statements regarding Tesla's ventures into robotaxis and humanoid robots, he has also warned of potential challenges ahead, suggesting that the company may face "a few rough quarters" as the U.S. phases out electric vehicle purchase incentives [4]

Robotaxi Expansion - Waymo 正在达拉斯、纽约和费城测试电动 robotaxis [1] - Waymo 已确认在休斯顿、圣安东尼奥、迈阿密、圣地亚哥、纳什维尔、华盛顿、波士顿和东京测试电动 robotaxis [1]

Well, we do have a move. Mr. . Weiss, you're back in Uber.Yes. Again. I am.Tell me more. Uh, look, I think they've got definitely the pole position in autonomous and robo taxis, much more so than Tesla. They've got the right cost profile because they're not picking up the cost.Whimo is. So, I think they'll do quite well in uh in the earnings because even though prices have gone up, you know, from what I'm hearing, demand hasn't suffered. So, it all adds up to put up a good quarter.Okay, thanks for the updat ...

Autonomous Driving Technology - Tesla's factory utilizes driverless technology to move vehicles autonomously from the production line to parking lots [1] - The autonomous driving system is being scaled for applications beyond factory logistics, including robotaxis and driverless delivery services [1] Operational Efficiency - Tesla is implementing driverless systems within its factory operations [1] - The company aims to expand its autonomous driving capabilities from factory applications to broader commercial uses [1]

Competitive Advantage - The robotaxi market presents a winner-take-most opportunity in the US [1] - Tesla possesses major competitive advantages in the robotaxi market [1] - Tesla's crowdsourced fleet model, similar to Airbnb, allows owners to "opt in" for autonomous rides [2] - Waymo's robotaxi model requires partnerships and fleet control [2] Company Strategy - ARK Invest highlights distinctions between Waymo and Tesla in "The Brainstorm" [2]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's stock has experienced significant volatility in 2025, with shares fluctuating between $220 and $430, yet the company's growth narrative remains strong, supported by two key factors that suggest potential investment before the upcoming earnings call in late July [1] Group 1: Capital Advantage - Tesla possesses a substantial capital advantage, which is critical in the electric vehicle (EV) sector where many competitors have failed due to financial constraints [2] - The capital and time required to bring an EV to market are often underestimated; Tesla's journey from inception to market was relatively swift compared to competitors like Rivian and Lucid Motors [3] - Currently, Tesla is the largest pure-play EV company in North America, with a market capitalization of approximately $1 trillion, while Rivian and Lucid Group together are valued at only $30 billion [4] - Tesla's ability to raise $30 billion in new cash by diluting shareholders by just 2.5% enhances its financial stability and lowers its cost of debt, providing a significant competitive edge [4][5] Group 2: Robotaxi Growth Opportunity - The introduction of Tesla's robotaxi service, starting with the Cybercab and initially utilizing Model Ys, is seen as a major growth opportunity, with expectations of dominating the U.S. ride-hailing market [7] - Investor Cathie Wood predicts that the robotaxi service could significantly increase Tesla's stock price and contribute over 90% of the company's revenues in the long term, potentially reaching $1.7 trillion by 2040 [7][9] - Despite skepticism regarding the timelines for the robotaxi service's rollout, Tesla's capital advantages provide the necessary resources to develop and scale this initiative over the coming years [8][9]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Domestic Auto industry encompasses companies involved in designing, manufacturing, and retailing various types of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and electric vehicles [2] - The industry is highly consumer cyclic and is undergoing significant transformation due to technological advancements and digitization [2] Factors Affecting Industry Prospects - The newly introduced tariff by President Trump is expected to worsen affordability issues, with average new car prices nearing $50,000, potentially leading to higher costs for consumers [3] - Economic uncertainty is projected to impact demand, with the Fed reducing its GDP growth forecast for 2025 from 2.1% to 1.7% and raising core inflation estimates to 2.8% [4] - The introduction of more affordable electric vehicles (EVs), priced at $35,000 or less, is anticipated to attract buyers despite economic challenges [5] Current Industry Ranking and Performance - The Zacks Automotive – Domestic industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 188, placing it in the bottom 23% of 250 Zacks industries, indicating dim near-term prospects [6][7] - The industry's earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have decreased by 42.9% and 15.6%, respectively, over the past year, reflecting a negative earnings outlook [8] Market Performance - Over the past year, the Domestic Auto industry has outperformed the auto sector but lagged behind the Zacks S&P 500 composite, with a decline of 4.2% compared to the sector's 16.4% and S&P 500's 1.9% [11] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 26.02X, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 14.96X and the sector's 14.69X, indicating a premium valuation despite being debt-laden [14] Company Highlights - **Blue Bird Corporation (BLBD)**: Engaged in manufacturing school buses, with a strong order backlog of nearly 4,400 units. The company expects a record full-year adjusted EBITDA margin of 14% for fiscal 2025 [19][20] - **Tesla, Inc. (TSLA)**: Recognized as a technology innovator in the EV space, with plans for Full Self-Driving services and new product launches expected to enhance profitability. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 7.54% and 9.92%, respectively [23][24] - **General Motors Company (GM)**: Holds a 16.5% market share in the U.S. and has achieved significant cost reductions. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GM's 2025 EPS indicates year-over-year growth of 8.58% [27][28]

Core Insights - Tesla stock experienced a significant decline of 28% in February following a post-election surge, attributed to various news items, macroeconomic challenges, and CEO Elon Musk's involvement in government initiatives [1][2][3] Group 1: Stock Performance - After the election, Tesla stock initially soared due to perceived benefits from Musk's relationship with Donald Trump, but this belief unraveled as investors recognized limited direct support for the company from Trump [2] - The stock's decline was not due to a single factor; rather, investors viewed the stock as overvalued after a price increase that did not align with business fundamentals [3] - Tesla's stock price is still considered high, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio above 100, indicating potential for further declines if fundamentals do not improve [7] Group 2: Market Challenges - Tariffs and pressures in China are expected to negatively impact Tesla, similar to the broader auto sector [4] - European registration data indicated a 45% year-over-year drop in Tesla registrations in January, despite a 37% increase in overall EV sales, suggesting potential market share loss [4][5] - Anecdotal evidence points to declining sales in California and protests against Musk's political involvement affecting Tesla's reputation [5][6] Group 3: Future Outlook - The company's future growth may hinge on advancements in AI and robotaxis, but maintaining a strong consumer reputation is crucial for success [7] - Musk's political engagements may inadvertently harm Tesla's prospects, creating reputational risks that could affect stock performance [6][7]