Investment Proposal: Rivian

 


ADMP Investment Proposal: Rivian

____________________________________________________________________________


To: Clark Hansen, CEO

From: Andrew Mendez, Research & Development Analyst at AMDP

Date: March 8th, 2024 

Subject: Investment Proposal: Rivian


As a Research & Development Analyst at AMDP, I prioritize companies that exhibit a harmonious blend of social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and financial viability. Our exploration into the electric car industry has uncovered a compelling investment opportunity with Rivian Automotive. Rivian Automotive, an American electric vehicle manufacturer, has emerged as a strong contender in the electric car market. Founded with a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and profitability, Rivian has positioned itself as a noteworthy player in the industry. In this memo, I will explain why Rivian is worth the investment through: 


  1. A summary of AMDP standards

  2. Company origins and overview 

  3. Electric vehicle market analyzation 

  4. Rivian financials 

  5. Rivian's commitment to sustainability

  6. Final Recommendation


AMDP Standards: 

In accordance with AMDP's investment principles, we prioritize companies that exhibit a harmonious blend of social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and financial viability. 


Triple Bottom Line: 

The triple bottom line is a business principle urging companies to evaluate not only their financial performance but also their social and environmental impact, diverging from the conventional focus solely on profit. This concept, encapsulated by the "three P's" – profit, people, and the planet – emphasizes the interconnectedness of economic success, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. 


Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Companies are evaluated based on their contributions to societal well-being through environmental and social initiatives. CSR encompasses four key areas to gauge a company's positive societal impact:


  1. Environmental Efforts: Signifies the reduction of any adverse impact on the environment, both by the company itself and on a broader societal scale.

  2. Philanthropy: Involves practicing social responsibility by contributing monetary funds, products, or services to support social causes and nonprofit organizations.

  3. Ethical Labor Practices: Reflects the commitment to treating employees fairly and ethically, acknowledging the importance of responsible employment practices.

  4. Volunteering: Demonstrates a company's sincerity and commitment to social responsibility by encouraging employees to volunteer their time for community events.


Social Enterprise: 

Social enterprises, on the other hand, are entities driven by specific social objectives that align with their primary purpose, showcasing a commitment to both business success and societal betterment. 


Carbon Footprint: 

Lastly, the term "Carbon Footprint" refers to the quantified amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with the activities of an individual or entity, such as a corporation, building, or county. It serves as a metric to assess the environmental impact and sustainability efforts of an organization.


Company Origins: 

Company originally founded as Mainstream Motors in 2009 by CEO RJ Scaringe. Rivian began creating luxury electric coupe prototypes back in 2011, but then shifted its focus to SUVs as many other luxury electric vehicle startups began to emerge.  By 2017, Rivian created two prototypes and moved their headquarters to Irvine, California. In 2019, Amazon invested 700 million dollars into Rivian and ordered 100,000 delivery vans specifically designed and developed by Rivian. Ford then also invested 500 million dollars in the EV company. 


Rivian Financials: 

Unfortunately, Rivian has yet to see a profit as it still continues to ramp up production of its products. Its total revenue as of 2023 was 4.43 million dollars with costs sitting around 6.46 million. However, the positive to this company is the stock in this company is very low at $12.90 per share allowing for massive upside potential as the EV market continues to grow. 


Electric Car Industry and Market Analysis:

The electric car industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by increasing global environmental awareness and supportive governmental policies. Rivian Automotive, with its focus on producing electric adventure vehicles, captures a unique market segment. This market is set to increase 21% in 2024 according to Bloomberg. Buying low right now is the right move to make. It is expected that the EV market is projected tor reach 906 billion by 2028. 


Rivian's Commitment to Sustainability:

Rivian stands out for its unwavering dedication to sustainability throughout its business operations. From responsibly sourced materials to eco-friendly manufacturing processes, Rivian integrates environmental consciousness into its core values. This commitment aligns seamlessly with AMDP's ethos and responds to the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible corporations.




Expert Opinions: 


Reuters

Rivian faces a crucial moment as it unveils lower-priced models, notably the "R2" midsize SUV, to expand its market appeal amid cooling global demand for electric vehicles and Tesla's competitive pricing strategies. CEO RJ Scaringe views the R2's success as existential, requiring scalability, timely production, and market acceptance. The midsize SUV aims to address a broad market segment beyond Tesla, with an expected price between $45,000 and $50,000, set for a 2026 release from a new $5 billion Georgia plant. Despite challenges and a 53% stock decline this year, Rivian focuses on sustainability, cost reduction, and efficiency. However, uncertainties persist, with analysts questioning potential additional funding needs. Rivian's $9 billion in cash provides some cushion, but successful R2 market penetration and financial strategies are pivotal for its standing in the competitive EV landscape.


Investors.com

Rivian Automotive (RIVN) has positioned itself as a challenger to industry giants Tesla (TSLA), Ford (F), and General Motors (GM) with its adventure-styled electric vehicles. Despite a 40% surge in RIVN shares in December 2023, the stock plummeted around 50% in early 2024 following disappointing fourth-quarter earnings and revenue reports. Rivian's Q4 loss of $1.36 per share and sales of $1.31 billion slightly exceeded Wall Street expectations. However, the company's decision to keep 2024 production flat compared to 2023 and lay off 10% of salaried workers led to a significant stock decline. Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed concerns about Rivian's financial trajectory, suggesting potential bankruptcy in around six quarters, emphasizing the challenge of achieving volume production with positive cash flow. Rivian, however, asserts confidence in funding its operations through 2025, focusing on cost efficiencies and evaluating capital market options.


Final Recommendation:

After extensive research and analysis, it is strongly recommended that AMDP considers investing in Rivian Automotive. Rivian's innovative approach, solid financial foundation, and steadfast commitment to sustainability make it an appealing and strategic addition to our investment portfolio. Although the company is not currently profitable, the massive upside potential in the EV market only continues to grow and a current investment will see continued growth as time goes on. 





Works Cited:


"Beyond Earth Day." Rivian, stories.rivian.com/beyond-earth-day.


Crothers, Brooke. "Rivian Had Explosive Growth in Hottest US EV Market." Forbes, 1 Oct. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/brookecrothers/2023/10/01/rivian-had-explosive-growth-in-hottest-us-ev-market/?sh=70704aad4e98.


"Everything You Need to Know About Amazon's Electric Delivery Vans from Rivian." Amazon, www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/everything-you-need-to-know-about-amazons-electric-delivery-vans-from-rivian.


"Rivian Vehicle Production and Delivery Numbers." Stock Dividend Screener, stockdividendscreener.com/auto-manufacturers/rivian-vehicle-production-and-delivery-numbers.


"EV Maker Rivian Faces Turning Point with Debut Cheaper R2." Reuters, 7 Mar. 2024, www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ev-maker-rivian-faces-turning-point-with-debut-cheaper-r2-2024-03-07/.


"Is Rivian Stock a Buy or a Sell? Tesla Bull Says It Is One of the Core EV Players." Investor's Business Daily, www.investors.com/news/rivian-stock-a-buy-or-a-sell-with-this-tesla-bull-saying-it-is-one-of-the-core-ev-players/.


"Rivian - A Tesla Challenger?" Electrek, electrek.co/guides/rivian/.


"Rivian - Yahoo Finance." Yahoo Finance, finance.yahoo.com/quote/RIVN/financials/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALVkADL8aO1ZJ_xTfflQdX36VjZGlKKI6mHkJip56fdrEiKSoQEMruByaoBSw0jCL-Jfdug4XKH4SzfbJzMoei7q4lWsXOKNoSsx6xkQZOCPEuWj1JHEx0k8RrtUE_gnADT4bT-hqiq8BSGcttNSqVEk-dZlE5a_mH7IqXPulsar.


"Rivian - Stock Dividend Screener." Stock Dividend Screener, stockdividendscreener.com/auto-manufacturers/rivian-vehicle-production-and-delivery-numbers/.


"Rivian Had Explosive Growth in Hottest US EV Market." Investors, www.investors.com/news/rivian-stock-a-buy-or-a-sell-with-this-tesla-bull-saying-it-is-one-of-the-core-ev-players/.


"Rivian Net Income/Loss - Statista." Statista, www.statista.com/statistics/1302985/net-income-loss-rivian/.


"Rivian's Explosive Growth in Hottest U.S. EV Market - Bloomberg." Bloomberg, www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-01-09/electric-vehicle-market-looks-headed-for-22-growth-this-year.





 


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