Dva inženýři Volkswagen čelí obvinění z obchodování zasvěcených osob kvůli údajné sázce na Rivian před oznámením joint venture. Podle žaloby vydělali více než 300 000 USD.
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged two Volkswagen engineers with securities fraud for an alleged insider-trading scheme connected to the German automaker’s joint venture with Rivian.
The indictment, unsealed Friday by the U.S. District Attorney for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank made more than $300,000 by using confidential insider information. Stamp and Plank allegedly bought Rivian stock and options after learning that the EV maker and Volkswagen planned to form a joint venture — internally codenamed “Project Climb” — but before the companies made any public announcements.
Rivian and Volkswagen announced plans for the joint venture on June 25, 2024, which would focus on developing electric vehicle architecture and software. Volkswagen initially committed to invest $5 billion in Rivian, with the capital to be released as the companies achieve certain milestones. The joint venture has since grown to $5.8 billion, and Volkswagen is now Rivian’s largest shareholder.
Rivian’s stock price rose 23% following the initial announcement in June. Stamp and Plank then allegedly sold their Rivian positions, with Stamp realized about $250,000 in profits, Plank realizing about $50,000, and Plank’s close family member realizing about $12,000, as detailed in the indictment.
“Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank’s alleged exploitation of their employer’s confidential information allowed them to make more than $300,000 in illegal profits,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement Friday. “When people misuse confidential information for their own financial gain, they undermine the principles that allow our markets to function fairly and efficiently. Insider trading is a crime that New Yorkers want pursued with vigor. Its effects ripple through the financial system, harming ordinary investors and eroding public confidence. Today’s charges underscore the commitment of this Office and our law enforcement partners to protecting the integrity of our markets and holding accountable those who choose to violate the law.”
Investigators allege the two engineers understood their actions were illegal. Eight days prior to the joint venture was announced, Stamp searched “statute of limitations insider trading,” and Plank’s close family member searched, in German, “how is insider trading prosecuted?,” according to the indictment.
The pair, who both live in San Jose, were arrested Friday and will appear in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla. Stamp and Plank face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of federal securities fraud.
TechCrunch has reached out to Rivian and Volkswagen for comment and will update the article if either company responds.
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Kirsten Korosec is a reporter and editor who has covered the future of transportation from EVs and autonomous vehicles to urban air mobility and in-car tech for more than a decade. She is currently the transportation editor at TechCrunch and co-host of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast. She is also co-founder and co-host of the podcast, “The Autonocast.” She previously wrote for Fortune, The Verge, Bloomberg, MIT Technology Review and CBS Interactive.
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Rivian žaluje americkou vládu o plnou refundaci cel zaplacených v rámci Trumpových „Liberation Day“ cel, která Nejvyšší soud později označil za protiústavní. Firma chce vrátit peníze i s úroky.
Rivian has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government in an attempt to claw back a “full refund” on tariffs it paid under President Trump’s “Liberation Day” taxes, which the Supreme Court later ruled unconstitutional.
The automaker joins a long line of companies seeking such refunds. In April, Rivian CFO Claire McDonough said she expected the company stood to reap a refund in the “tens of millions of dollars.”
Rivian’s action comes as the company is in the middle of rolling out its first mass-market SUV, the R2. It expects to ship around 20,000-25,000 of them by the end of this year, and help the company finally reach profitability. Reaching that goal may not happen until 2028, though, as Rivian is plowing a lot of money into developing autonomous vehicles at the moment. The company recently sold shares to raise around $1.3 billion to help pad out its cash balance in the meantime.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in the U.S. Court of International Trade, names the U.S. government, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its commissioner Rodney Scott as defendants. CBP collected the tariffs on behalf of the Trump administration, which tried to justify them under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
In a statement to TechCrunch, CBP said that over $121 billion in both “potential and certified refunds have been accepted for processing .” The agency did not comment specifically on the lawsuit.
Earlier this month, the Cato Institute wrote that $71 billion had been paid out, which “suggests that frictions built into” the refund process created “obstacles for importers seeking refunds.”
According to Rivian’s lawsuit, the company wants a guarantee that it will get its money — and the proper amount — back from the government.
“Although the Supreme Court invalidated the tariffs, this separate action remains necessary because importers that have paid IEEPA tariffs, including Plaintiffs, are not guaranteed a refund of amounts previously paid based on the Supreme Court’s decision,” Rivian’s lawyers wrote in the complaint.
Rivian did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told Reuters last year after the tariffs were imposed that he expected the cost of each vehicle to rise by “a couple of thousand dollars” as a result. By the end of 2025, he said the company had mitigated the impact to “low hundreds of dollars.”
“The resulting environment of retaliatory trade or other practices or additional trade restrictions or barriers has harmed, and could continue to harm, our ability to obtain necessary raw materials, components and equipment and could harm our ability to sell our products and services at prices customers are willing to pay,” the company wrote in a regulatory filing earlier this year.
Rivian is asking the trade court to declare the tariffs “contrary to law,” issue a refund with interest, and pay any associated court fees.
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Sean O’Kane is a reporter who has spent a decade covering the rapidly-evolving business and technology of the transportation industry, including Tesla and the many startups chasing Elon Musk. Most recently, he was a reporter at Bloomberg News where he helped break stories about some of the most notorious EV SPAC flops. He previously worked at The Verge, where he also covered consumer technology, hosted many short- and long-form videos, performed product and editorial photography, and once nearly passed out in a Red Bull Air Race plane.
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Rivian Automotive čeká za čtvrtletí ztrátu 0,65 USD na akcii při tržbách 1,58 miliardy USD. Odhad EPS byl za 30 dní zvýšen o 1,21 %, ale Earnings ESP je -4,29 %.
Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Rivian Automotive (RIVN - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 30. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis a manufacturer of motor vehicles and passenger cars is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.65 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +18.8%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.58 billion, up 21.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.21% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Rivian Automotive?For Rivian Automotive, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -4.29%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Rivian Automotive will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Rivian Automotive would post a loss of$0.6 per share when it actually produced a loss of -$0.55, delivering a surprise of +8.33%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Rivian Automotive doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsFord Motor Company (F - Free Report) , another stock in the Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $0.33 for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of -10.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $45.72 billion, down 2.6% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Ford Motor has been revised 5.3% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -5.58%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Ford Motor will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
About five years ago, there was a mini gold rush in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. It was due to growing infrastructure support and a flood of public and private funding from investors hoping to get their hands on what might be the next Tesla.
This gold rush ended poorly for many involved: from the more well-known Fisker Automotive, which was supposed to rival Tesla, to the lesser-known companies such as Canoo and Lordstown Motors. Even more capable companies, such as Lucid Group (LCID -1.50%), will almost certainly face more funding questions and capital raises within 12 to 18 months.
Rivian Automotive (RIVN -1.80%), however, appears to be gaining real traction; here are three reasons to believe in it long-term.
Shareholder dilution While Lucid and Rivian are similar in many ways, one factor that has separated the two is shareholder dilution. Unlike Lucid, Rivian has been able to protect its shareholders from more severe shareholder dilution due to capital discipline and its strategic joint ventures, such as with Volkswagen.
It also helps to have a little luck on your side. Rivian executed one of the largest initial public offerings in U.S. history by raising roughly $13.7 billion in gross proceeds, which gave the young EV maker a long capital runway. In contrast, Lucid entered the public markets through a SPAC merger that had a lighter cash balance to help pave the way forward.
Another example of how the two differ is that Lucid has relied heavily on Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which now owns a controlling stake in the company. While Lucid has repeatedly issued new equity that dilutes existing shareholders, Rivian largely took a different route by leveraging its internal software and electrical stack to ink a $5.8 billion deal with Volkswagen that has helped generate non-dilutive licensing and convertible loans.
RIVN Shares Outstanding (Quarterly) data by YCharts
You can see in the graph above that Lucid was expanding its shares outstanding much more, until last year when the EV maker executed a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, which reduced its share count to proportionately increase its share price, enabling it to remain listed on the Nasdaq. That's not a great situation to be in. Make no mistake, when considering either of these EV stocks long-term, Rivian is certainly more enticing, even considering only its lesser shareholder dilution.
R2 is a crucial pivot To say that Rivian's R2 is a crucial pivot point for the business would be an understatement. The R2 marks Rivian's transition from luxury-niche EVs to mass-market production and scale. The young EV maker might not even get enough credit for the efforts it has taken to improve unit economics, which have helped power the company to its first full-year gross profit.
Rivian is taking what it's learned from that process and applying it to the R2. And it's expecting to reduce the manufacturing cost per vehicle by 50% compared to even previous improvements on the R1. Rivian's goal was to aim for nearly $7,500 in gross profit per vehicle; here are a couple of unique examples of how it can drive toward that target:
Battery and drive units: The new "Maximus" drive unit contains 41% to 43% fewer parts than the previous Enduro system. Electronics and harnessing: Rivian cut expensive high-voltage cabling down by a significant 70% and simplified its computing architecture by removing 2.3 miles of wiring, cutting down connectors by 60%, and reducing weight by 40 lbs. Rivian even adjusted the R2 to a unibody structure, which reduced costs by 44% and weight by 37% compared to the R1 body-on-frame style.
Image source: Rivian.
Combine those examples, and many more, with growing scale as the lower price tag enables a mainstream consumer to purchase the R2, and it should have investors feeling optimistic that Rivian can one day be a self-funding and profitable company. Though it still has a long way to go.
High-margin potential Circling back to Rivian's lucrative joint venture with Volkswagen, it's important for investors to understand the potential of this business. Typically, legacy global automakers like Volkswagen buy parts from suppliers and write their own coding, but the deal with Rivian implies that Volkswagen has admitted its deficiencies in doing so and essentially gave up on its in-house software division.
Volkswagen isn't just buying Rivian motors or interior infotainment screens, either; Rivian is essentially selling its German joint venture partner its vehicle nervous system, operating system, and zonal architecture. This has given Rivian the potential to transform from a pure hardware manufacturer into a business that includes high-margin software and intellectual property licenses.
Thanks in large part to Volkswagen's partnership, Rivian's software segment operates at roughly 37% gross margin, which has become a crucial way to offset early-stage scaling and expenses.
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What it all means Rivian still has a long road ahead to reward long-term shareholders, but these three reasons should give investors the belief that it can achieve that vision. Rivian has separated itself from rivals such as Lucid with capital discipline and the avoidance of severe shareholder dilution, tapped into high-margin software sales and cost-sharing with partnerships, and made significant progress on improving R2 unit economics ahead of the scale it hopes to soon build.
Rivian's road will still be tough, but it certainly has some unique attributes that separate it from many rivals.
Rivian ve 2. čtvrtletí vyrobil 12 613 vozů a dodal 12 194, čímž překonal horní hranici odhadu. Firma zároveň zvýšila celoroční odhad dodávek na 67 500.
Rivian Automotive (RIVN +2.14%) captured great investor interest during its 2021 initial public offering (IPO), when the stock surged to over $170 per share, while its market capitalization reached $150 billion amid enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs). However, the stock has fallen sharply in recent years and remains 90% off its all-time high.
Despite the drastic decline, the company has made strides with its EV lineup and boasts a technology stack that sets it apart. With the stock below $20, is now the time to invest $5,000 (or another amount) in the beaten-down EV stock? Let's dive into the company's progress to find out.
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Rivian is ramping up production despite a tough environment for EV makers Rivian takes a vertically integrated approach to its EV platform, focusing on in-house manufacturing, technology, and software development. This approach gives it total control over its EV ecosystem but also requires massive up-front investment. At the end of the first quarter, Rivian's accumulated deficit exceeded $27 billion, reflecting the cumulative net losses the company has recorded since its inception in 2009.
While the company remains unprofitable, it has made progress in expanding its manufacturing capabilities. In the second quarter, the company produced 12,613 vehicles and delivered 12,194, exceeding the high end of its guidance of 11,000 vehicles. The strong performance prompted management to raise its full-year delivery guidance from 64,500 at the midpoint to 67,500.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
The company is seeing solid performance despite a difficult backdrop for EV makers. Part of this is thanks to the rollout of the Rivian R2, its lower-cost production vehicle, starting at $45,000. This is part of Rivian's efforts to achieve mass-market scale, and the company is expanding its manufacturing in the long term with its multibillion-dollar Georgia facility, aiming to produce hundreds of thousands of units annually when it opens in 2028.
In addition, Rivian formed a joint venture with Volkswagen in November 2024, which includes $5.8 billion in investments from the German automaker to be made in tranches for its in-house-developed software and zonal architecture. The Rivian R2 is the first vehicle built on an optimized version of this architecture, and Volkswagen expects to start using this technology stack in its vehicles as soon as next year.
Rivian is making huge capital investments Rivian is making progress, growing production and deliveries, but the company continues to burn through cash. In the first quarter, the company's loss from operations topped $655 million, an improvement from last year, when it topped $881 million. To continue to fund its expansion, Rivian raised $1.2 billion by selling 75 million shares of stock this month.
Looking ahead, Rivian still needs to expand over the next couple of years as it builds out its megafactory in Georgia and has pushed back its goal for achieving positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in 2027. For these reasons, it may pay off to be patient and see how the company navigates this capital-intensive phase of its business before building a sizable position in the stock.
July 7 was a rough day for Rivian Automotive (RIVN +3.03%) shareholders. The upstart electric vehicle (EV) company saw its stock plunge 18.1%, its largest single-day decline in almost two years. Rivian had announced only days earlier that it topped its second-quarter guidance with 12,194 deliveries, and raised its full-year delivery outlook from 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles to 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles.
The culprit? A new common-stock offering that underlines the reality that Rivian is still losing a ton of money and needs substantial additional capital to continue growing. It can be tempting to buy Rivian stock on this dramatic decline. Here's why that's probably not a good idea in this case.
This sell-off was about more than the share dilution Rivian sold 75 million new shares at $15.50 per share, raising approximately $1.2 billion in gross proceeds. The company also granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 11.25 million shares of common stock. The funds are for general corporate purposes and equity contributions for a loan arrangement with the U.S. Department of Energy.
Image source: Rivian.
Beyond the share dilution the new shares will cause, the offering priced shares at $15.50, well below the open-market price at the time. Rivian and institutional buyers agreeing to the offering at such a deep discount probably doesn't send a great message to the market about how the parties involved view the stock. But most of all, the offering is a harsh reminder of how far Rivian still has to go to remain financially viable. The company has burned over $3 billion in free cash flow over the past four quarters alone.
Buy the dip? No thanks Rivian trades at a valuation that is completely disconnected from most of the automotive industry. The most successful automotive companies broadly trade at under 1 times sales. Rivian trades at 3.8 times sales, even after the stock's sell-off. Although Tesla is an exception, it's hardly fair to compare it with Rivian, since Tesla has Elon Musk and has shifted its business focus to autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and humanoid robotics.
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The reason why automotive companies trade at such low valuations is the same reason Rivian still needs to raise money. Manufacturing vehicles, whether EVs or regular combustion models, is very capital-intensive. Factories are expensive to build, and they need to operate at nearly full capacity to produce vehicles profitably.
If Rivian continues to sell more vehicles, its margins should improve as volumes rise. Rivian's just not there yet. It's probably wise to stay on the sidelines until Rivian's valuation drops closer to that of other automotive stocks or the company grows enough that it no longer needs additional funding.
Rivian po spuštění levnějšího R2 zvýšil celoroční výrobní výhled z 67 000 na 70 000 vozů. Přesto článek varuje, že plánované emise akcií až za 8 miliard USD do roku 2028 mohou zisky výrazně zředit.
Currently trading for around $18 per share, Rivian Automotive (RIVN +1.21%) has fallen by 82.5% since its 2021 initial public offering (IPO).
Most longtime Rivian investors remain underwater, but new investors could profit following the recent launch of the EV maker's lower-priced R2 line. That said, while the R2 may revive growth, it may not move the needle for the stock.
Image source: Getty Images.
How the R2 could get Rivian out of its slump When Rivian first went public, investors were willing to pay high premiums for would-be "Tesla killers" that could challenge the EV market leader. However, as results clashed with expectations, the prices of Rivian and other electric car stocks cratered.
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More recently, however, Rivian has held fairly steady amid the hype surrounding the launch of the R2 vehicle. Priced much lower than Rivian's initial R1S and R1T models, this new line could represent an inflection point. Recent results and outlook updates support this view.
Big potential, but there's a caveat Last quarter, Rivian reported 12,194 vehicle deliveries, well ahead of prior guidance. A big reason for this was June's launch of the R2 SUV, with a sticker price of $57,990.
In addition, management increased its full-year production guidance, raising the ceiling from 67,000 to 70,000 vehicles. In the years ahead, high growth could persist. Yet while forecasts call for growth to accelerate from 34.2% this year to 61.6% in 2027, they also call for annual losses of $2.61 and $2.28 per share, respectively.
Also, Rivian plans to fund expansion through dilutive share sales, aiming to raise up to $8 billion through 2028. Compared to Rivian's current $25 billion market cap, this level of dilution could really water down gains, even if profitability arrives sooner than expected. Hence, it may be a while before a surge in production growth leads to big gains for Rivian shares.
Kalifornie spouští nový program pobídek MyFirstEV pro první kupce elektromobilů a výjimka z cenových stropů zvýhodní Rivian a Lucid. Tesla by se naopak musela řídit limity. Program nabídne 3 500 USD na nové vozidlo a 1 750 USD na ojeté, přičemž nové vozy nesmí mít cenu nad 50 000 USD a ojeté nad 25 000 USD.
Companies like Rivan and Lucid could be exempt from the price caps that bar EVs from qualifying for California's new incentive program. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images California is launching a new incentive program for first-time electric vehicle buyers that gives companies like Rivian and Lucid an edge.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill, SB 168, into law on Monday that will give first-time EV customers an instant incentive of $3,500 on a new vehicle and $1,750 toward a used one at the point of sale.
The program, called MyFirstEV, is expected to launch this summer, though the state did not announce an exact start date. A spokesperson for the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which will administer the statewide program, told Business Insider that the agency expects to announce participating automakers next month.
The bill has a price cap for EVs to qualify. New vehicles can't have a manufacturer's suggested retail price above $50,000, while used vehicles can't sell for more than $25,000.
However, the law exempts EV makers headquartered in California that manufacture only zero-emission vehicles, allowing companies like Rivian and Lucid to participate in the incentive program regardless of vehicle prices. Rivian is headquartered in Irvine, while Lucid is based in Newark.
Both companies sell vehicles priced well above the bill's caps. Rivian's R1T truck has a starting price of under $80,000. Lucid primarily sells luxury EVs, with the Air sedan starting at around $71,000.
A Lucid spokesperson told Business Insider that it intends to participate in the statewide program and that Lucid Air and Gravity vehicles will be eligible for California customers.
"We see this as a meaningful opportunity to help make advanced electric vehicles more accessible to California buyers," the spokesperson said, adding that the company "applauds the inclusion of the exemption."
Although Tesla manufactures the Model 3 and Model Y at its Fremont factory and maintains an engineering headquarters in Palo Alto, it would be excluded from the exemption. The company moved its corporate headquarters from California to Austin in 2021.
The CARB spokesperson confirmed that Lucid and Rivian could qualify for the exemption, while Tesla would be subject to the price caps.
Tesla wouldn't be entirely shut out of the incentive program. Lower-priced versions of the Model 3 and Model Y that fall below the $50,000 cap could qualify if the company chooses to participate.
The CA governor's office presented the program as a replacement for the federal EV tax credit program, which the Trump administration rolled back. Under the now-defunct federal program, EV buyers could get up to $7,500 in incentives.
"Donald Trump is doing everything in his power to pollute our air and surrender the clean car industry to China on a silver platter. California is putting its foot on the accelerator," Newsom said in a statement.
Spokespeople for Rivian and Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
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Kalifornie spustila program za 135 milionů USD na podporu nákupu elektromobilů a zvýhodňuje Rivian: jeho R2 začíná kolem 45 000 USD, zatímco většina modelů Tesla je kvůli limitu 50 000 USD pro nová vozidla vyřazena.
The elimination of the $7,500 federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credit was a hard hit for most automakers, but Rivian Automotive (RIVN +0.72%) was especially affected. EV demand had already stalled, but without tax incentives, they became a harder sell than gas-powered vehicles.
The state of California is taking action to incentivize car buyers to go green once again. The state has a new $135 million program to help first-time EV buyers through point-of-sale rebates. No tax filing is necessary.
There is a catch that helps Rivian in particular but hurts its competitor, Tesla (TSLA +0.71%). Incentives are available only for automobiles priced at or below $50,000 new and $25,000 used. The credit offers a $3,500 rebate for new vehicles and a $1,750 rebate for used vehicles. This immediately disqualifies most Tesla models, which are most often priced at luxury levels. The new Rivian R2 fleet, designed to be more affordable, starts at around $45,000.
The incentive also waives the price cap entirely if the automaker is headquartered in California. Rivian is based in Irvine, while Tesla relocated to Texas.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
This is great news for Rivian. The R2 fleet is generating significant interest, and state tax incentives could push fence-sitters into a Rivian. California's model could also serve as a template for other states looking to make up for the lost federal benefits.
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Several states offer benefits for EV and hybrid car purchases, but California could start a trend of states increasing tax credits or even matching the previously available federal credit. Any move in this direction would be welcome news for Rivian and other EV manufacturers looking to reignite demand.
Rivian's investors have patiently waited for the stock to rebound after losing over 80% of its value since going public in 2021. While the company's software and services segment is profitable, its automotive division is not. The R2's efforts to appeal to a mass market could benefit from state tax credits. Investors will need to remain patient as legislative efforts to boost EVs take time.
Catie Hogan has positions in Rivian Automotive. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Rivian plánuje veřejnou nabídku až 75 milionů akcií, která by mohla přinést až 1,74 miliardy USD a znamenat ředění pro akcionáře. Akcie RIVN v pátek rostly o 2,70 % na 18,61 USD.
Rivian Automotive stock is building positive momentum. What’s driving RIVN shares up? What Is Rivian’s Planned Stock Offering?Rivian said it plans an underwritten public offering of up to 75 million shares, plus a 30-day option for underwriters to buy up to an additional 11.25 million shares, implying gross proceeds of up to about $1.74 billion if priced near the prior $20.14 close. The company said proceeds are for general corporate purposes, including funding certain equity contributions tied to a U.S. Department of Energy loan-related arrangement.
Rivian ended Q1 with about $4.83 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and the raise is being framed as balance-sheet reinforcement rather than a pivot away from operations. That cash figure is central to how traders are sizing dilution risk versus runway.
RIVN Stock: Key Technical Levels To WatchAt $18.57, the stock is trading 12.1% above its 20-day SMA ($16.64) and 17.4% above its 200-day SMA ($15.88), which keeps the intermediate trend pointed up after the May swing low. The catch is the bigger-picture overlay: the 50-day SMA remains below the 200-day SMA (a "death cross" that occurred in May), so longer-term trend followers may still treat rallies as prove-it moves until that relationship repairs.
Momentum is improving: MACD is above its signal line and the histogram is positive, which typically means downside pressure is fading and the latest upswing is gaining traction versus the prior downswing. In plain terms, MACD being above the signal line often signals buyers are starting to control the pace of the move rather than just reacting to bounces.
From a level-to-level trading view, the next upside test is the $21.00 area, while the chart has a clearer "line in the sand" near the mid-$15s where buyers previously defended the tape.
Key Resistance: $21.00 — a nearby round-number area where rebounds can stall Key Support: $15.50 — sits near the longer-term moving-average zone (200-day EMA at $15.59) where buyers have shown up What Is Rivian Automotive’s Business Model?Rivian is a battery electric vehicle automaker selling vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, with a lineup that includes a luxury truck, a full-size SUV, and a delivery van. It also develops electronic control units and related software for autos in a joint venture with Volkswagen, adding a "platform/software" angle beyond just vehicle sales.
The company plans to begin selling a midsize SUV in 2026, and it delivered over 42,000 vehicles in 2025, so funding and production cadence are central to the story. That’s why the proposed equity raise is a double-edged catalyst: it can extend liquidity for growth initiatives, but it also raises dilution concerns that can cap upside if demand for the deal is soft.
RIVN Earnings Preview: July 2026 ExpectationsLooking further out, the next major catalyst for the stock arrives with the July 30, 2026 (confirmed) earnings report.
EPS Estimate: Loss of 79 cents (Up from Loss of 97 cents YoY) Revenue Estimate: $1.44 Billion (Up from $1.30 Billion YoY) Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Buy rating with an average price target of $20.47. Recent analyst moves include:
UBS: Neutral (Raises Target to $17.00) (July 9) BNP Paribas: Outperform (Raises Target to $24.00) (July 8) Jefferies: Hold (Raises Target to $17.00) (July 7) RIVN Stock Price Movement on FridayRIVN Stock Price Activity: Rivian Automotive shares were up 2.70% at $18.61 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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Rivian získala 1,2 miliardy USD z emise akcií a její akcie jsou letos níže o více než 16 %. Zároveň ve 2. čtvrtletí dodala 12 194 vozidel a zvýšila celoroční výhled dodávek na 65 000 až 70 000.
Rivian Automotive (RIVN +8.76%) saw its shares slide this week after the electric vehicle (EV) producer raised $1.2 billion in gross proceeds through an equity offering. The stock is now down more than 16% year to date as of this writing.
The company sold 75 million shares for $15.50 apiece, while also giving underwriters the option to buy another 11.25 million shares at the offering price. Rivian intends to use some of the proceeds to fund its equity contribution under its loan with the Department of Energy (DOE) to build its new factory in Georgia. The new plant will help it increase its electric vehicle production capacity by about 50% to 300,000 vehicles a year.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
In conjunction with its equity offering, Rivian also announced that it delivered 12,194 vehicles in the second quarter, well above its 9,000 to 11,000 forecast. It also raised its full-year delivery guidance to a range of 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles, up from a prior outlook of 62,000 to 67,000 SUVs. It started delivering its new R2 SUV on June 9, which was late in the quarter.
While the equity offering entails about 6% dilution, assuming the underwriters' option is exercised, it is an important step toward helping the company fund its new factory in Georgia. Meanwhile, it is at one of the most pivotal times in its history with the recent launch of its R2 SUV.
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The R2 has gotten some early rave reviews from automotive publications, and with a considerably lower price tag than its luxury R1 SUV, it brings its vehicles to a much wider audience. Increased unit volumes, which spread fixed costs across its vehicles, combined with better sourcing and other features, should eventually help pave the way to stronger gross margins and profitability.
On top of that, Rivian is looking to leverage its software expertise to enable autonomous driving, which would add another high-margin revenue stream. Its point-to-point, fully supervised self-driving (FSD) technology is expected to arrive by the end of this year and will be akin to Tesla's FSD. Earlier this year, it signed a deal with Uber to deploy 50,000 robotaxis to the ride-share company through 2031.
Rivian remains a speculative investment, but the company has a lot of exciting things going for it, including its new R2 model and its autonomous-driving capabilities. It's also backed by major players like Amazon, Volkswagen, and Uber. As such, taking a small stake on this pullback could be worthwhile.
Rivian zvýšil celoroční výhled dodávek na 65 000 až 70 000 vozů po silném druhém čtvrtletí. Současně ředitelka Karen Boone prodala 20 000 akcií v hodnotě 400 000 USD.
Karen Boone, a director at Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN +8.70%), sold 20,000 shares of Class A Common Stock on July 6, 2026, according to an SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$400,000Shares sold20,000Post-transaction shares (total)225,794Post-transaction shares (directly held)115,794Post-transaction shares (indirectly held)110,000Post-transaction value~$4.6 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($20.00); post-transaction value based on July 6, 2026 market close ($20.14).
Key questionsHow does this transaction align with the director's total equity exposure?
Boone reduced her indirect stake by 15%, which accounted for an 8% reduction in her total interest as reported in the Form 4. Following this sale, she maintains a combined position of about 226,000 shares, split between 116,000 shares held directly and 110,000 shares held through The Boone Family Trust dated August 6, 2015.What regulatory and contractual frameworks governed the timing of this sale?
The transaction was carried out under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted on November 24, 2025, providing a structured mechanism for liquidity. Notably, the sale occurred on the same date the director entered into a new 45-day lock-up agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, utilizing an exception for existing trading plans.What is the company's current valuation and business focus?
Based in Irvine, Rivian Automotive specializes in the design and manufacturing of electric vehicles, including consumer pickup trucks and SUVs, and maintains a commercial van platform in partnership with Amazon.com. As of the July 7 market close, the company has a market capitalization of $20.9 billion, with trailing-12-month revenue of $5.5 billion and a net loss of -$3.5 billion.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-07-07)$16.49Market Capitalization$20.9 billionRevenue (TTM)$5.5 billionNet Income (TTM)-$3.5 billionCompany SnapshotRivian designs, engineers, and manufactures premium electric vehicles, including five-passenger electric pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles for consumers, as well as commercial electric delivery vans developed in partnership with Amazon.com.The company operates a direct-to-consumer sales model across both consumer and commercial segments, generating revenue through vehicle sales and related accessories while scaling production capacity to achieve profitability.Rivian targets affluent individual consumers seeking premium electric vehicles and commercial fleet operators, particularly Amazon, which represents a significant customer base for the company's commercial delivery platform.Rivian Automotive is a vertically integrated electric vehicle manufacturer with TTM revenues of $5.5 billion, positioning it as a significant player in the emerging premium EV segment. The company leverages strategic partnerships, particularly with Amazon, to diversify revenue streams across consumer and commercial markets while building manufacturing scale. With 14,861 employees and operations centered in Irvine, California, Rivian is executing a capital-intensive strategy to achieve profitability through volume production and operational efficiency improvements.
What this transaction means for investorsThis sale ultimately looks like a footnote in a much busier week for Rivian. The trade effectively ran on autopilot under a plan Boone adopted back in November, and at $400,000 it leaves her with roughly $4.6 million in stock. The more telling detail is the lock-up: she signed a fresh 45-day agreement with Goldman Sachs the same day, the kind of housekeeping that accompanies a capital raise, and Rivian filed a common stock offering prospectus on July 6, and three days later, the firm said it had raised an estimated $1.32 billion to help support a financing arrangement with the Department of Energy.
Her sale also landed amid some operational momentum. Second-quarter deliveries hit 12,194, well above guidance of 9,000 to 11,000, and management raised its full-year target to 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles, crediting "robust growth quarter-over-quarter in EDV and R1." The catch is that Rivian still burns cash, guiding to an adjusted EBITDA loss of up to $2.1 billion this year against $4.84 billion in cash plus $1 billion from Volkswagen.
For long-term investors, skip the sale and watch two numbers: the R2 production ramp and quarterly cash burn. The race between them decides whether today's $20.9 billion valuation ends up looking cheap or generous. The firm reports earnings on July 30.
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About the Author
Jonathan Ponciano is a contributing stock market analyst at The Motley Fool. He has nearly a decade of experience as a financial journalist, most recently as an editor and senior reporter at Forbes focused on markets, technology, and entrepreneurship. Jonathan has also written for Investopedia and the Los Angeles Business Journal. He holds a dual B.A. in Business Journalism and Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. A North Carolina native now based in New York City, Jonathan has also lived in Mexico City and Los Angeles.
Rivian v tomto měsíci roste díky silným dodávkám a technický výhled potvrzuje býčí trend po průrazu nad 18,17 USD. Společnost zároveň oznámila, že ve 2. čtvrtletí dodala 12 194 vozů.
Rivian stock is doing well this month and beating its top rivals like Lucid and Tesla, helped by its strong vehicle delivery numbers. RIVN soared to $20.15 on Monday, its highest level since January 8. This rally may continue ahead of its earnings, which are coming out on July 30th.
The daily chart suggests that Rivian shares may have some more upside to go in the near term. It has already formed a golden cross pattern as the 50-day and 200-day moving averages crossed each other. Since then, the stock has remained above these two averages.
Most notably, the stock has formed an inverted head-and-shoulders pattern. It has already moved above the neckline at $18.17, confirming the bullish outlook. At the same time, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has continued rising in the near term.
Therefore, the stock will likely continue rising in the near term as investors embrace the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). If this works, the next important target to watch will be at $22.72.
This surge will not be linear. Instead, the stock may retreat and retest the support of $18.17. Such a move is known as a break-and-retest and is a common bullish continuation sign.
RIVN stock chart | Source: TradingView
The ongoing Rivian stock surge is happening at a time when demand for the vehicles is rising. In a recent statement, the company said that its deliveries rose to 12,194 in the second quarter.
It produced 12,613 vehicles, a trend that may continue once it completes building its plant in Georgia. Its existing plant can make 200k vehicles a year, while its upcoming one in Georgia will make 400k vehicles.
Rivian is benefiting from the rising demand for electric vehicles after gasoline prices jumped during the US-Iran conflict. Also, it is benefiting from the recently R2 vehicle, whose production has started to pile up. The company also aims to launch a cheaper R3 crossover and R3x vehicles to give customers access to a high-performance, lower-cost vehicle.
Most importantly, after years of selling its vehicles domestically, the company is seeking to grow its business in Europe, with estimates being that it will start doing so next year. This will not be an easy thing as Europe is already saturated with domestic vehicle manufacturers and those from China.
As a result, analysts believe that its growth will gain momentum in the coming years. The annual revenue is expected to jump by 30% this year to $7 billion, followed by a 65% jump next year to $11.6 billion. If this trend continues, it may get to $20 billion in annual revenue in the coming years.
The risk, however, is that the company continues to lose money in the coming years. In a recent statement, the management noted that it will not achieve an EBITDA profit next year.
As such, with the cash burn continuing, the company may dilute its shareholders soon. It has a long history of diluting its shareholders, with its total outstanding shares rising to 1.26 billion from 892 million in 2022.
Also, the stock is nearing the targets set by analysts. Needham has a target of $23, while Cowen, BNP Paribas, and Benchmark are targeting $20, $22, and $25.
READ MORE: Rivian stock forecast: Wyckoff theory points to long‑term rebound
Please note. Shortly after the publication of this story, Rivian announced that it was selling 75 million shares to boost its capital, confirming the risk we highlighted
Rivian zahájila veřejnou nabídku 75 000 000 kmenových akcií a může přidat ještě až 11 250 000. Výnosy z nabídky chce použít na obecné firemní účely včetně financování dohody s DOE.
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rivian Automotive, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIVN) (“Rivian”) today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of 75,000,000 shares of its common stock. In connection with the offering, Rivian expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 11,250,000 shares of its common stock, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the shares to be sold in the offering are to be sold by Rivian. The offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.
Rivian expects to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including funding of certain equity contributions pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Loan Arrangement and Reimbursement and Sponsor Support Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (the “DOE Loan”).
Goldman Sachs & Co., LLC, Allen & Company LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the proposed offering.
The proposed offering is being made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that became automatically effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 30, 2026. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus. The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may also be obtained by contacting: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, Telephone: (866) 471-2526 or via email: [email protected]; Allen & Company LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 711 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor, New York, New York 10022, by telephone at (212) 339-2220, or by email at [email protected]; Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, [email protected], (888) 603-5847; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717 or by email at [email protected] and [email protected]; Morgan Stanley, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department; or by email at [email protected]; and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at 800-645-3751 (option #5) or email a request to [email protected].
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification thereof under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Rivian
Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) is an American automotive technology company that develops and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles as well as vertically integrated technologies and services. Through innovation across its electrical architecture, end-to-end software, autonomous driving platform, artificial intelligence, and propulsion, the company creates vehicles that excel at work and play with the goal of accelerating the global transition to zero-emission transportation and energy. Rivian vehicles are manufactured in the United States and are sold directly to consumer and commercial customers. Whether taking families on new adventures or electrifying fleets at scale, Rivian vehicles all share a common goal — preserving the natural world for generations to come.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements regarding statements regarding the offering and the expected use of proceeds therefrom, which statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations discussed in such statements, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “will,” “expects,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, our ability to complete the offering on favorable terms, if at all, general market, political, economic and business conditions which might affect the offering and the important factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in Rivian’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rivian may not consummate the offering described in this press release and, if the offering is consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds as described above. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and Rivian does not undertake to update the statements included in this press release for subsequent developments, except as may be required by law.
Rivian ve 2. čtvrtletí dodal 12 194 vozů, nad vlastním výhledem, a zvedl celoroční cíl dodávek na 65 000 až 70 000 vozů. Akcie po zprávě vyskočily o více než 8 %.
Rivian (RIVN +8.44%) just gave investors an impressive update. On Thursday, the electric vehicle maker said it delivered 12,194 vehicles in the second quarter, comfortably above its own outlook of 9,000 to 11,000, and raised its full-year delivery target to 65,000 to 70,000 vehicles, up from 62,000 to 67,000.
The stock jumped more than 8% on the news. And the timing sharpened the contrast: Tesla fell about 7.5% the same day following its own delivery report.
Rivian shares have now climbed about 60% from their 52-week low, though they still sit slightly below where they started the year. So, has the underdog finally earned a spot in more portfolios, or is the market right to stay skeptical?
Image source: The Motley Fool.
What the raise actually says The second quarter update begins to answer a question that has hung over Rivian all year: Can the company build and sell its new, lower-priced R2 alongside everything else it makes? Or will it cannibalize the company's sales of other vehicles and ultimately hurt its business?
The R2 matters more than any other vehicle Rivian has made. The company's R1 trucks and SUVs are premium-priced machines with a naturally limited audience. The R2 is Rivian's bid for volume, and a raised outlook one quarter into its ramp suggests the early demand is there.
But it looks like the vehicle will be additive to its business. Rivian delivered 10,365 vehicles in the first quarter and 12,194 in the second, for 22,559 in total. This means that reaching even the low end of the new full-year range requires about 42,000 deliveries in the second half -- nearly double the first-half pace. This spike in second-half deliveries would be Rivian's steepest ramp in history, executed in the same six months the company is scaling an entirely new model.
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The economics still have to catch up Whether the stock works from here likely depends less on delivery counts than on what each delivery earns. And that picture is still mixed.
In the first quarter, Rivian's revenue rose 11% year over year to $1.38 billion, and the company generated $119 million in gross profit, a 9% gross margin. But the composition tells a more complete story. The software and services segment produced $181 million in gross profit, while the automotive segment ran a $62 million gross loss, hurt primarily by a $100 million year-over-year decline in sales of automotive regulatory credits and lower production volumes. In short, the vehicles themselves still lose money, and software and services keep the overall margin positive.
Meanwhile, total company losses remain large.
Rivian's first-quarter operating loss widened to $881 million from $655 million a year earlier, on lower gross profit and higher operating expenses as the company builds toward the R2 era.
None of this is disqualifying for a company at Rivian's stage. Scale is precisely what the R2 is supposed to deliver, and higher volumes could spread fixed costs across far more vehicles.
The bull case is that the second-half ramp pushes automotive gross profit toward positive territory and shifts the conversation from survival to growth. It's unclear, of course, if the company can pull this off.
But the capital runway for the ramp has notably improved recently. In its first-quarter update, Rivian said it raised the initial production capacity planned for its Georgia plant by 50%, to 300,000 vehicles annually, backed by an up to $4.5 billion Department of Energy loan. And a completed testing milestone in March unlocked a $1 billion investment from Volkswagen Group. A steep ramp is much less dangerous with that kind of backing.
The stock's recent run-up, however, has created a new problem. The stock now commands a market capitalization of about $25 billion -- and that's for a company that still loses money on every vehicle it sells.
So, is Rivian finally a buy? The delivery update was arguably the most encouraging news the company has produced in years, and it meaningfully lowers the risk that R2 won't be materially additive to its overall business. But I'd want to see one specific thing before buying: automotive gross profit improving as R2 volumes build. The second-quarter report, due July 30, is the first checkpoint. Until then, Rivian stays on my watch list as a far stronger operation than it was three months ago, but still a show-me stock at this price.
Rivian a General Motors ukazují, že software může být klíčovým zdrojem růstu v automobilkách. U Rivianu software a služby v 1. čtvrtletí přinesly 473 milionů USD výnosů a 181 milionů USD hrubého zisku, GM letos očekává 3,1 miliardy USD realizovaných výnosů z OnStar a Super Cruise.
The automotive industry has long been plagued with negative narratives. A primary example is that operations are capital intensive and leave automakers with thin margins, which hurts earnings potential and valuations.
But the automotive industry is evolving rapidly to include more software and technology to power automated driving features, advanced infotainment solutions, and over-the-air updates that can lower costs due to no required service center visits -- all while improving the driving experience.
These factors can fundamentally change automakers as investments, and here are two examples of how Rivian Automotive (RIVN +8.41%) and General Motors (GM +0.71%) could generate billions through unique software innovations and strategies.
First up: Rivian Toward the end of 2024, Rivian and Volkswagen partnered to develop a state-of-the-art, software-defined-vehicle (SDV) architecture that could be used across the duo's vehicle portfolios. The initial investment was significant, the potential is massive, and its financial implications are already powering Rivian. Let's dive deeper.
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Volkswagen's initial investment into Rivian was for up to $5 billion, which was quickly bumped to $5.8 billion and would be delivered upon completion of certain objectives and milestones. Upon the late 2024 launch, a $1.3 billion lump-sum investment was sent Rivian's way, followed by an early 2025 $1 billion tranche, a mix of equity and debt, to complete operational milestones. After passing winter testing in the spring of 2026, it unlocked another $1 billion investment from Volkswagen and also established the latter as Rivian's largest shareholder, displacing Amazon.
Investors need only glance at first-quarter 2026 results to see the impact Rivian's software is having on its financials. Consolidated revenue checked in at $1.28 billion, which was largely driven by two segments: automotive and software and services. The former generated $908 million, or a 2% decrease compared to the prior year, while software and services generated $473 million, a 49% increase.
The revenue growth was positive, but the impact on gross profit is arguably more important. The automotive segment gross profit was $62 million during Q1, while the software and services segment gross profit totaled $181 million.
The profitability boost from the software business has already powered the young electric vehicle (EV) maker to a positive gross profit result during Q1 -- superior to rival Lucid Group, which is struggling to improve gross profitability -- and giving investors reason to believe it can one day generate bottom-line profits and become a viable long-term investment.
Keep in mind there's plenty of software business growth from Rivian's partnership with Volkswagen alone, and it opens the door for other traditional automakers to explore potentially lucrative software opportunities with Rivian.
Next up: General Motors General Motors gives investors another angle in how to monetize software innovations. The Detroit automaker expects massive growth from OnStar and Super Cruise subscriptions, and it even has a long-term strategy to help drive this into reality.
Image source: General Motors.
Let's take a look at some real-world data to emphasize the software potential. Last year, GM logged $2.7 billion in realized revenue and $5.4 billion in deferred revenue from OnStar and Super Cruise subscriptions -- healthy growth from $1.7 billion realized and only $200 million deferred as recently as 2020. This business is growing quickly with management expecting those software services to generate $3.1 billion in realized revenue and $7.5 billion in deferred revenue this year.
Investors would be wise not to underestimate how this business -- with margins that could approach 70% gross margin, according to GM -- stands to change GM as an investment in an industry known for low margins. "These software-like margins that are coming in the connected business can actually drive, and potentially over time, dwarf even the wholesale business, which is remarkably strong and remarkably large," CFO Paul Jacobson said, according to Automotive News.
GM is putting its money where its mouth is, too. Beginning with the 2025 model year, every new GM vehicle that rolls off the production line includes an eight-year basic OnStar subscription, and vehicles with Super Cruise will have a three-year subscription built into the price. This is essentially opening the widest funnel top to its software and services businesses, and banks on customers getting accustomed to these, and resubscribing and/or repurchasing them with their next vehicles.
Early evidence is fairly positive. At least 30% of the 35,000 GM drivers with an expiring three-year Super Cruise subscription renewed in 2025.
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What it all means Automakers are quickly evolving with the industry, and vehicles are becoming packed with more software technology and innovations. This is enabling new business models to generate incremental revenue streams, as well as higher margins. Furthermore, in the long term, it could help an industry plagued with paltry price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples to rise as Wall Street acknowledges the more profitable businesses in the years ahead.
Rivian and GM aren't tech stocks, but software could certainly power their stocks higher over the next decade.
Rivian ve 2. čtvrtletí vyrobil 12 613 vozů a dodal 12 194, čímž překonal svůj výhled. Zároveň zvýšil celoroční výhled dodávek z 62 000 až 67 000 vozů na 65 000 až 70 000 vozů.
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIVN) today announced production and delivery totals for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. The company produced 12,613 vehicles at its manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois and delivered 12,194 vehicles during the same period. Delivery results topped Rivian's outlook of 9,000 to 11,000 vehicles for the quarter due to robust growth quarter-over-quarter in EDV and R1 coupled with the introduction of R2 deliveries.
As a result of the progress Rivian has made, and the production and delivery outlook for the second half of the year, the company is today raising its full year 2026 delivery guidance from 62,000 - 67,000 vehicles, to 65,000 - 70,000.
ShareAs a result of the progress Rivian has made, and the production and delivery outlook for the second half of the year, the company is today raising its full year 2026 delivery guidance from 62,000 - 67,000 vehicles, to 65,000 - 70,000.
The company also announced that on July 30, 2026, after market close, it will release its second quarter 2026 financial results. Rivian will host an audio webcast at 5:00 p.m. ET the same day to discuss the performance and outlook for the business. The live webcast will be available at https://rivian-q2-earnings-webcast-2026.open-exchange.net/ and a replay will be available for four weeks at www.rivian.com/investors following the webcast.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding our annual delivery outlook.
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the important factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to us as of the date of this press release, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
About Rivian:
Rivian (NASDAQ: RIVN) is an American automotive technology company that develops and manufactures category-defining electric vehicles as well as vertically integrated technologies and services. Through innovation across its electrical architecture, end-to-end software, autonomous driving platform, artificial intelligence, and propulsion, the company creates vehicles that excel at work and play with the goal of accelerating the global transition to zero-emission transportation and energy. Rivian vehicles are manufactured in the United States and are sold directly to consumer and commercial customers. Whether taking families on new adventures or electrifying fleets at scale, Rivian vehicles all share a common goal — preserving the natural world for generations to come.
Rivian uvedl v USA SUV R2 se startovní cenou 57 990 USD, později má přijít verze kolem 45 000 USD. Firma čeká, že R2 zvýší roční dodávky na 62 000 až 67 000 vozů.
Rivian (RIVN 0.98%) officially launched its R2 SUV in the U.S. on June 9. Could this newest car lift Rivian's stock, which trades nearly 80% below its IPO price of $78?
Why the R2 could be a game changer When Rivian went public in 2021, it only sold three electric vehicles: the R1T pickup, R1S SUV, and custom electric delivery vans for Amazon (and later other companies).
Image source: Rivian Automotive.
The launch editions of the R1T and R1S started at $75,000 and $77,500, respectively, but subsequent versions started at $85,000 to $95,000. Those high prices limited their mainstream appeal, and Rivian's own supply chain constraints throttled its annual production -- which dropped from 57,232 vehicles in 2023 to 42,284 vehicles in 2025.
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The launch version of the R2 starts at $57,990, and Rivian plans to roll out an even cheaper version with a starting price of around $45,000 by the end of 2027. The R2 also costs less to manufacture than the R1T and R1S, so its rising sales should boost Rivian's gross margins.
Rivian expects the R2 to boost its annual deliveries to 62,000-67,000 vehicles this year. If those efforts pay off, analysts expect its revenue to more than triple from 2025 to 2028. If that happens, Rivian's stock-which trades at just three times this year's sales -- could finally stabilize and be revalued as a high-growth EV stock again.
Leo Sun has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Šéf Rivian varuje, že automobilky soustředěné na zisk z benzinových aut budou na konci dekády technologicky pozadu. Klíčová je podle něj investice do softwaru a elektromobilů.
Carmakers that focus on selling fossil fuel engines are at risk of being “woefully behind” on technology by the end of the decade, according to the boss of Rivian, an Amazon-backed US electric carmaker.
RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s founder and chief executive, said the car industry has reached a “fork in the road” in the choice between short-term profits and the heavy investments, particularly in software, that will be required to survive.
In an interview this month in London, he said many have chosen profits, ramping up the production of petrol or hybrid pickup trucks and SUVs in the US and Europe.
Much of the automotive industry in the US and Europe has lobbied to slow the transition to electric vehicles, favouring instead polluting but profitable cars with internal combustion engines.
The retreat has been particularly striking in the US, where Donald Trump’s administration has gutted incentives to produce and buy EVs. Ford, General Motors, Honda, Stellantis and Volkswagen, all of which have large US operations, have collectively written off more than $70bn (£53bn) from their previous EV investments, according to Reuters.
Workers on the production line at Rivian’s headquarters in California. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty ImagesScaringe said the decisions to focus on profitable petrol cars could come back to haunt manufacturers.
He said: “That looks really good financially for 2026, 2027, maybe even 2028. But as you get to the end of the 2020s and into the 2030s, I think we’re going to find a lot of companies are unfortunately woefully behind in terms of their technology.”
The turn against EVs has led to uncertainty over demand for Rivian, which has just started deliveries of its R2 SUV in the US. The car is “make or break” for the company as it tries to turn a profit for the first time, Scaringe said.
RJ Scaringe says focusing on the profitable petrol cars could come back to haunt manufacturers. Photograph: Kimberly White/Getty Images for RivianRivian was founded in 2009, and delivered its first electric vehicle in 2021, the same year as it floated on the stock market.
Rivian lost $3.6bn in 2025 amid heavy investment in the R2 and in autonomous driving abilities. After its market value soared above $100bn at its initial public offering, the carmaker has dropped back to $21bn – although Scaringe could be in line for share awards worth as much as $5bn if he can push the share price to targets well above its all-time high.
Rivian lost $3.6bn in 2025 amid heavy investment in the R2 and in autonomous driving abilities. Photograph: RivianScaringe said the “the more damaging and more dangerous aspect” of the turn against EVs was not the delayed transition from petrol engines to batteries but rather the failure to develop the software that increasingly controls every aspect of the vehicle.
He said petrol cars were stuck with a design that scatters computer chips throughout the car – from the engine to the seats and wing mirrors – rather than a centralised architecture that can be easily modified. Relying instead on a single computer reduces production costs by “thousands of dollars”, Scaringe said.
Rivian’s heavy investment in digital technology and software has at least partly paid off. Alongside the Amazon investment, which includes a deal for up to 100,000 delivery vans, Rivian and Germany’s Volkswagen agreed a $5.8bn electric tech and software joint venture in 2024, and Uber invested $1.25bn in a deal that could also lead to the sale of 50,000 robotaxis.
Scaringe said Rivian could help to increase the take-up of EVs in the US despite the White House backlash. Electric cars made up 7.8% of all US car sales in 2025, and Scaringe said the R2 alone could eventually increase the market share by three or four percentage points.
“The objective is to be a very large company” with annual sales in the millions, Scaringe said.
Scaringe said he was sceptical of carmakers’ claims that buyers do not want EVs, but rather that the dominance of Tesla’s Model 3 saloon car and Model Y SUV in the US was a “sign of a market starved for great choices”. Chinese carmakers dominate the global EV industry but are locked out of the US by prohibitive tariffs.
Rivian is also aiming to sell the R2 in the UK and mainland Europe, although that will not happen for at least a year.
