Rivian Finally Made a Profit. Are Layoffs Next?
Yeah, I said that. Here's some facts...
Rivian just reported its first-ever gross profit -- sounds awesome, right? 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴. If you actually look at the numbers, Rivian is a setup for another brutal round of layoffs anytime now.
So here is the worrying job pattern I am seeing:
➡️ 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 – Forecasted 57,000 vehicles for 2024, far below the 80,000 analysts expected → '23 layoffs followed.
➡️ 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 – Despite doubling production, guidance was conservative and warned of “challenging conditions” → '24 layoffs followed.
➡️ 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱– Just reduced 2025 delivery expectations to 46,000-51,000 vehicles (down from 51,579 in 2024). Layoffs are incoming - yes, I'm calling it.
Facts are:
▪️ Rivian isn’t making money on vehicles. $299M in regulatory credit sales + $214M in software/services propped up Q4 earnings.
▪️They also borrowed $6.6B from the government pre-election , and yes, that is funding that could be scrutinized real quick under a Trump administration.
▪️And they are still burning up to $1.9B in 2025. They call it “improving.” I call it delaying the inevitable.
𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀. The purge isn’t a guess at this stage - it’s a pattern. If you work there, get ahead of this NOW. And if you’re watching the EV sector, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Overall- to me… the potential nail in the coffin for Rivian? Since Rivian’s JV with Volkswagen, VW has had a hot minute. I’ve worked with more VW EV professionals globally on their job search this year than anyone else in the auto industry. If that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what does. The JV hopes Rivian’s tech expertise and VW’s financial backing will fast-track innovation…. but hope isn’t a strategy y’all.
Oh.. and Rivian’s in the mall now? CATALYST BRANDS owns the house they’re selling from? Didn't they just have layoffs after their merger with SPARC too? Just one of those WTF moments. Make it make sense.
Catch ya on the Inside Flipside….
The Job Chick