Rivian Automotive on Thursday beat Wall Avenue’s fourth-quarter expectations and stated it is concentrating on a major enhance in automobile deliveries this yr, however the automaker additionally cautioned that it’ll proceed dropping cash because it launches its essential R2 next-generation automobile.
Rivian’s 2026 steering consists of growing automobile deliveries to between 62,000 and 67,000 models, which might be up by 47% to 59% in contrast with 2025. That enhance is anticipated to be assisted by the launch of the R2 SUV throughout the second quarter.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe instructed CNBC’s Phil LeBeau on Thursday that the R2 is anticipated to be the “majority of the quantity” of the enterprise by the top of 2027, because it ramps up manufacturing at its sole manufacturing unit in Regular, Illinois.
The electrical automobile maker additionally stated it expects adjusted pre-tax losses for 2026 of between $1.8 billion and $2.1 billion and capital expenditures between $1.95 billion and $2.05 billion. That compares with almost $2.1 billion in adjusted pre-tax losses and $1.7 billion in capital expenditures final yr.
Scaringe described 2025 to traders Thursday as a “foundational yr” for Rivian, whereas saying 2026 will mark “an inflection level” for the corporate.
Shares of Rivian had been up greater than 20% throughout premarket buying and selling Friday after closing at $14, down roughly 5%.
This is how the corporate carried out within the fourth quarter in contrast with common estimates compiled by LSEG:
- Loss per share: 54 cents adjusted vs. a lack of 68 cents anticipated
- Income: $1.29 billion vs. $1.26 billion anticipated
Rivian’s full-year 2025 income, together with $1.7 billion throughout the fourth quarter, was up 8% in contrast with $4.97 billion in 2024.
The corporate was in a position to obtain its first annual gross revenue, which is carefully watched by traders, of $144 million in 2025, together with $120 million throughout the fourth quarter. That was pushed by its software program and providers three way partnership with Volkswagen offsetting $432 million in losses for its automotive enterprise final yr.
This yr’s gross revenue will not be as fruitful, with Rivian CFO Claire McDonough describing it as a “transition yr” because it ramps up R2 manufacturing.
Traders view gross revenue as a key indicator of a enterprise’s profitability earlier than working bills, curiosity and taxes.
Rivian’s web loss final yr was $3.6 billion, an enchancment from a lack of $4.75 billion in 2024. That features an $804 million loss throughout the fourth quarter, accelerated by a lower in earnings from the sale of regulatory credit, which was anticipated after adjustments by the Trump administration to federal gasoline financial system and emissions requirements.
Rivian ended the fourth quarter with $6.59 billion in complete liquidity, together with almost $6.1 billion in money, money equivalents, and short-term investments.
It is wanted capital for Rivian. This yr is an important one for the automaker because it makes an attempt to ship on guarantees of technological developments and improved profitability with the R2.
The roughly $45,000 midsize automobile, per Rivian, is anticipated to chop construct materials prices in half, scale back manufacturing complexity and considerably develop demand and gross sales.
Rivian stated the R2 is anticipated to initially be produced by one plant shift, adopted by a second shift by the top of this yr. The corporate stated further R2 particulars by mannequin resembling pricing, choices and extra will likely be obtainable on March 12.
Rivian has made essential strides with its first-generation R1 pickup and SUV, however the marketplace for such dear EVs, which each begin within the $70,000s, has slowed. It additionally continues to supply an all-electric supply van, traditionally bought by its largest shareholder, Amazon.
