Rivian: Cute Trucks, Serious Math

Okay, let’s talk Rivian. Everyone’s cooing over the trucks, which, admittedly, are aesthetically pleasing. Like a Subaru Outback had a baby with a spaceship. But “cheap” stock? That’s what my dating life was before I met my husband. It’s a relative term. Tesla is trading at 15 times sales, Lucid at 3.3. Rivian at 2.9? Sure, it looks like a bargain. It’s the clearance rack at Pottery Barn. But just because something’s discounted doesn’t mean you need it. Or that it works.

The hype machine is working overtime, painting a picture of a glorious future. But let’s be real. Building cars is hard. Like, really hard. It’s not like launching a meme. And while I appreciate Rivian’s foray into self-driving tech – because who doesn’t want a robot chauffeur? – they’re playing in a sandbox where Tesla already owns all the shovels and buckets. Even Google, with its Waymo taxis, has a bigger pile of cash to throw at the problem. This isn’t a fair fight. It’s like bringing a spork to a gunfight.

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Let’s Not Pretend Rivian is the New Tesla

Comparing Rivian to Tesla is… optimistic. Tesla’s not just a car company; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It’s the Apple of automobiles. Rivian is… a really nice pickup truck company. There’s a difference. Tesla can basically print money to fund its ambitions. Rivian is relying on hope, dreams, and the kindness of investors. It’s a startup, not a superpower.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Rivian is doomed. But buying the stock simply because it’s cheaper than Tesla is like choosing a restaurant because it has fewer calories. It’s a flawed metric. It ignores the fundamental challenges of scaling production, building a brand, and, you know, actually making a profit.

2026: The Year of the Affordable Truck (Maybe)

Okay, here’s where things get interesting. Rivian is promising a more affordable vehicle, the R2, in 2026. This is their attempt to crack the mass market. And that could be a game-changer. Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 surged when they became available. The same could happen for Rivian. Emphasis on “could.”

Analysts are predicting a measly 6% growth rate for 2026. That’s… conservative. It’s like predicting a mild drizzle when you’re standing in the path of a hurricane. If the R2 is a hit, growth could be much higher. But “could” is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Remember the Juicero? Promising innovation, ultimately a very expensive paperweight.

Look, I’m not saying Rivian is a terrible investment. I’m saying it’s a risky one. The stock is priced as if everything is going to go perfectly. And in the automotive industry, “perfectly” is a unicorn. So, if you’re thinking about buying Rivian stock, just remember: it’s a cute truck, but it’s still a gamble. And in the stock market, unlike a really good rom-com, there are no guarantees.

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2026-02-28 06:12