Former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario is resigning from her position on Rivian’s board of directors, according to a Friday afternoon stock exchange filing. Rivian wrote in the filing that Marcario’s last day will be on January 1, and that she is leaving “to focus on other commitments.” Rivian’s board will shrink from eight members to seven upon her resignation. Marcario’s departure and the downsizing of Rivian’s board comes on the eve of an important year for the company. Rivian plans to start selling its ...

Core Viewpoint - Rivian Automotive's share price has surged nearly 50% over the past year due to a return to gross-margin positivity and optimistic projections for the upcoming R2 SUV launch, prompting a reassessment of the stock's investment potential [1]. Group 1: R2 SUV Launch - The R2 SUV, priced around $45,000, is expected to broaden Rivian's market appeal compared to the luxury R1 SUV, which starts at over $100,000 [2]. - The R2 is anticipated to have improved gross margins due to lower material costs and higher production volumes, which will reduce the cost per vehicle [3]. - Management plans to start manufacturing R2 SUVs for validation by year-end, with sales expected in the first half of next year and production ramping up in the second half of 2026 [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In Q3, Rivian's revenue increased by 78% year over year to $1.6 billion, despite a decrease in vehicle deliveries [5]. - Automobile revenue rose by 47% to $1.14 billion, while software and service revenue surged 324% to $416 million, with half coming from a joint venture with Volkswagen [5]. - The company achieved a gross profit of $24 million, marking a return to positive gross margins after a significant operational revamp [6]. Group 3: Cost Management and Forecast - Rivian reduced its adjusted EBITDA loss from $757 million to $602 million and decreased free cash outflows to $421 million from $1.15 billion [7]. - The delivery forecast has been narrowed to between 41,500 and 43,500 units, with an expected adjusted EBITDA loss of $2 billion to $2.25 billion [7]. - A new factory in Georgia is planned to produce 400,000 vehicles annually, expected to be operational by late 2028 [8]. Group 4: Market Position and Challenges - Rivian's partnerships with Volkswagen and Amazon, along with a significant government loan, provide a strong financial foundation for scaling production [9]. - The company faces challenges from tariffs and the expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, although the impact of tariffs is reportedly minimal [10]. - The stock is characterized as high risk/high reward, suggesting caution after the recent price surge [11].

Core Viewpoint - Rivian has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action shareholder lawsuit related to misleading statements made prior to its 2021 IPO, particularly concerning the costs of building its R1 electric vehicles [1][2]. Financial Implications - The settlement amount of $250 million will be funded by $67 million from the company's directors' and officers' liability insurance, with the remaining $183 million coming from cash reserves, which stood at $4.8 billion as of June 30 [2]. Operational Context - The settlement occurs as Rivian prepares to launch its second-generation EV, the R2 SUV, in 2026, which is expected to be more affordable and produced at a higher volume of up to 150,000 units annually at its Illinois factory [3]. - Rivian's R1 sales have been declining, with projections indicating fewer EV shipments in 2025 compared to previous years, exacerbated by tariffs and the loss of federal EV tax credits [4]. Historical Background - In March 2022, Rivian raised the prices of its R1 pickup truck and SUV by nearly 20% due to supply chain issues and inflation, which angered customers and led to a significant drop in stock price [5][8]. - Following the price hike, a shareholder lawsuit was filed, claiming that Rivian misrepresented the costs associated with the R1 vehicles in its IPO documentation, which negatively impacted the stock price [9].

Core Insights - Rivian Automotive has returned to negative gross margins in Q2 due to increased material costs and supply chain disruptions from China's export cut of heavy rare-earth metals [1][2] - The expiration of the $7,500 U.S. federal EV tax credit at the end of September has led Rivian to lower its 2025 regulatory credit sales expectations from $300 million to $160 million, impacting gross margins [2][3] - The company aims for breakeven gross profits for the full year, down from a previous modest profit outlook for 2025, highlighting the importance of gross margin for future profitability [3] Financial Performance - Rivian's Q2 revenue increased by 12% to $1.3 billion despite a decline in vehicle deliveries, producing 5,979 vehicles and delivering 10,661 [6][8] - Automobile revenue fell by 14% to $927 million, while software and service revenue rose significantly from $84 million to $376 million, aided by a joint venture with Volkswagen [7] - The company reduced its net loss from $1.5 billion a year earlier to $1.1 billion and decreased free cash outflows to $398 million from $1 billion [8] Future Outlook - Rivian is focusing on the launch of the lower-priced R2 SUV, expected to have a starting price of around $45,000, which is anticipated to appeal to a broader market compared to the luxury R1 SUVs [4][5] - The R2 is projected to have a healthier gross margin due to lower material costs and manufacturing efficiencies, with material costs expected to be around half of those for the R1 [5] - The company aims to achieve EBITDA breakeven by 2027 following a full year of R2 production and anticipates growth in its higher-margin software and services segment [6][11]