Rivian Q2 2025 Earnings Results

[Jonger1150]

There are so many industry headwinds Rivian has faced since R1 launch. Now it's the loss of the EV credit, EV incentives from a federal standpoint across the board, and international trade relations going sideways and being shuffled around like a deck of cards.

Comparing Rivian now to Tesla at the same stage is a bit difficult. On one hand Rivian has the advantage of sourcing components more easily, due to other EV players in the same space (Battery cells as an example) While for Tesla at this stage, it had the benefit of being the only true ground up EV, but also had nearly no competition. Their closest competitor at the time was the Nissan Leaf, and a handful of Honda Insights.

While I agree. not a great year for Rivian, I think it's done what it can to continue on a longer term trajectory in spite of currently only producing 2 halo vehicles.

Rivian just needs to survive until a lower price point vehicle can hit the market.... they're going to survive until the R2 rolls out.

One ride in an EV and virtually everyone starts scheming a way to make the finances work -- they're just better vehicles with a better driving experience. The vast majority of buyers have no clue of this and don't even consider EVs. We need butts in the seat.

The cheapest R1 starts are $75,000 -- that's too high for most Americans. Rivian is out of buyers.

Actually, check the data. I believe Rivian is the top selling vehicle in California with an average MSRP over $70,000. They're just running out of buyers in this price point.

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[SANZC02]

This is false. A true statement would be "the current government doesn't want to take hard working taxpayer money to subsidize car companies like previous ones subsidized Tesla."

The free market should decide. I decided and I didn't need a subsidy to help me decide. I wanted the most awesome truck available in the market so that's what I bought. I don't need someone who has less resources than I do to subsidize my $100k truck. And the current government agrees with me.

I’m not completely disagreeing with you but the increased income tax revenue generated from these high paying green jobs does a lot to cover the program costs.

You can review this report out of Michigan. These types of government programs have been proven to expand the US economy many times compared to trickle down economics which has never shown to have a positive outcome.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Rivian just needs to survive until a lower price point vehicle can hit the market.... they're going to survive until the R2 rolls out.

One ride in an EV and virtually everyone starts scheming a way to make the finances work -- they're just better vehicles with a better driving experience. The vast majority of buyers have no clue of this and don't even consider EVs. We need butts in the seat.

The cheapest R1 starts are $75,000 -- that's too high for most Americans. Rivian is out of buyers.

Actually, check the data. I believe Rivian is the top selling vehicle in California with an average MSRP over $70,000. They're just running out of buyers in this price point.

I agree with this completely. What won me over to EVs was how great they are. If I have a choice I will not own another ICE vehicle.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I’m not completely disagreeing with you but the increased income tax revenue generated from these high paying green jobs does a lot to cover the program costs.

You can review this report out of Michigan. These types of government programs have been proven to expand the US economy many times compared to trickle down economics which has never shown to have a positive outcome.

Not to mention the harder to quantify benefits. Primarily, we aim to keep our technology and economy on par with our global rivals. China is using state funds in a significant way to invest in becoming the technological leader of EVs. We as a country cannot afford to cede ground in tech, which historically has been our bread and butter. The fastest way for a developed country to lose their economy and status on the world stage is to stall our economy for the future due to short sighted decision making today.

 

[COdogman]

This is false. A true statement would be "the current government doesn't want to take hard working taxpayer money to subsidize car companies like previous ones subsidized Tesla."

The free market should decide. I decided and I didn't need a subsidy to help me decide. I wanted the most awesome truck available in the market so that's what I bought. I don't need someone who has less resources than I do to subsidize my $100k truck. And the current government agrees with me.

There has never been and never will be a “free market”. It’s never existed anywhere on the planet at any point in civilized history. For decades the government subsidized railroads, oil, coal, natural gas, farming, and only recently EV production. Point being, we succeed as a country when we help our critical industries compete against the rest of the world.

I’m sure you are aware, but Ayn Rand was a fiction writer…..

 

[mkg3]

Couple of interesting comments from the earnings call:

- DOE loan is a construction based loan and Rivian plans to still access the loan as it has very favorable financial terms --- This means that it has not been rescinded (yet?)

- Also Inc focused on micro mobility with 2~4 wheels. Rivian owns just below 50% stake with RJ being the Chairman. No answer to how much time he is spending at Also.

 

[mkhuffman]

How about no tax credits and no tariffs.

How about free market?

How about zero income taxes and 100% tarrifs? That would be a very interesting situation.

The problem is our trading partners have ways to keep us out of their markets which means they are not engaging in free trade. Letting them freely trade in our market while they prevent us from freely trading in their market puts us at a huge disadvantage. China is one extreme example but they all do it in different ways.

I support fair trade since free trade seems impossible with our friends and enemies.

 

[mkhuffman]

Not to mention the harder to quantify benefits. Primarily, we aim to keep our technology and economy on par with our global rivals. China is using state funds in a significant way to invest in becoming the technological leader of EVs. We as a country cannot afford to cede ground in tech, which historically has been our bread and butter. The fastest way for a developed country to lose their economy and status on the world stage is to stall our economy for the future due to short sighted decision making today.

I think this is best accomplished with lower costs of manufacturing here in our country, while imposing costs on China to make them uncompetitive.

We can reduce costs for our companies by lowering taxes and eliminating regulations. We can impose costs on China with tarriffs. So in effect we are subsidizing all companies who produce things here using American labor.

There is no need to pick winners and losers when every company who produces here can win. The only winners our government should choose are US based companies. And they should all compete on a fair playing field without our government picking sides. Like has been done so often in the past. It needs to stop. IMO.

 

[mkhuffman]

There has never been and never will be a “free market”. It’s never existed anywhere on the planet at any point in civilized history. For decades the government subsidized railroads, oil, coal, natural gas, farming, and only recently EV production. Point being, we succeed as a country when we help our critical industries compete against the rest of the world.

I’m sure you are aware, but Ayn Rand was a fiction writer…..

Just because we have done it in the past is not a good reason for continuing to do it. We should have a free market inside our borders. We can't outside our borders, because our trading partners will never give us free access to their markets, but inside we can. And should.

 

[mkg3]

From the earnings call:

While R2 basic starts at $45K, there will be mid level and high level price points. Rivian will be launching R2 with the premium version to increase the average selling price of R2.

Didn't say when the base model will be available but probably not in 2026.

 

[emoore]

Just because we have done it in the past is not a good reason for continuing to do it. We should have a free market inside our borders. We can't outside our borders, because our trading partners will never give us free access to their markets, but inside we can. And should.

It not possible to do that and have the same standard of living we have now. Utilities would fail, entire industries would be gone. There is no such thing as a free market.

 

[COdogman]

Just because we have done it in the past is not a good reason for continuing to do it. We should have a free market inside our borders. We can't outside our borders, because our trading partners will never give us free access to their markets, but inside we can. And should.

We are part of a global economy. The economy inside our borders is the same one outside our borders. Unless of course you are willing to give up all the food, technology, etc., etc. that came from outside our country that we as a society have integrated into our everyday lives. Because we do not and cannot provide all of that domestically. I hope you love corn….

 

[mkhuffman]

It not possible to do that and have the same standard of living we have now. Utilities would fail, entire industries would be gone. There is no such thing as a free market.

I don't agree with that assessment at all. With lower taxes and lower regulations, our industries would thrive. And dominate the world.

Maybe I am unrealistically optimistic, but I believe in our ability to do great things.

 

[mkhuffman]

We are part of a global economy. The economy inside our borders is the same one outside our borders. Unless of course you are willing to give up all the food, technology, etc., etc. that came from outside our country that we as a society have integrated into our everyday lives. Because we do not and cannot provide all of that domestically. I hope you love corn….

I do love corn. Especially popcorn.

 

[COdogman]

I do love corn. Especially popcorn.

Popcorn is AMAZING.

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