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Rivian Awards CEO RJ Scaringe a $4.6 Billion Pay Package Modeled on Musk’s Tesla Deal

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Electric vehicle maker Rivian has unveiled a massive $4.6 billion compensation plan for CEO RJ Scaringe, mirroring the structure of Elon Musk’s Tesla pay package. The deal, announced Friday, is one of the largest executive awards in history, tying Scaringe’s payout to ambitious profit and share price milestones over the next decade.

The move signals Rivian’s determination to retain its founder and keep him focused on growth as the company prepares to launch its smaller, more affordable R2 SUV next year — a key model aimed at competing with Tesla’s Model Y.

Rivian said the new plan replaces an earlier one issued in 2021 that was unlikely to be met. The updated package includes options to purchase 36.5 million shares at $15.22 each, vesting if Rivian’s stock hits price targets ranging from $40 to $140 a share over the next ten years. The company’s previous plan required share prices between $110 and $295, thresholds now deemed unrealistic amid market pressures and the removal of EV tax credits that have slowed sales.

The award also introduces operating income and cash flow goals over seven years. Rivian shares closed at $15.22 on Thursday — exactly the strike price for Scaringe’s new options.

“This plan keeps RJ incentivized to scale Rivian efficiently while aligning his success with shareholder returns,” said a company statement.

The EV startup recently laid off 600 employees, or 4.5% of its workforce, as part of cost-cutting efforts. Still, the company insists it is on track to improve profitability and expand production.

Separately, Scaringe was granted 1 million common units in Mind Robotics, a new Rivian spinoff focused on industrial AI technology. He will serve as chairman of its board and could earn up to a 10% stake once the venture turns a profit.

Rivian and Lucid Warn of Challenges Ahead Amid Policy Shifts and Supply Chain Disruptions

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Electric vehicle makers Rivian (RIVN.O) and Lucid (LCID.O) reported disappointing quarterly earnings and issued cautious outlooks, citing impacts from changing U.S. policies, trade tensions, and supply chain issues. Rivian’s shares dropped about 4% after hours, while Lucid’s shares fell 7%.

Both companies are grappling with multiple headwinds under the Trump administration, including the removal of consumer tax credits, imposition of high tariffs on auto parts imports, and the elimination of emission fines for gas vehicle manufacturers. Additionally, China’s restrictions on exporting heavy rare earth metals—critical for EV motors—have disrupted supply chains and increased production costs in the U.S.

Rivian revealed rising costs in Q2 due to rare earth supply disruptions and raised its adjusted core loss forecast for 2024 as revenue from regulatory credit sales dwindles. The cost per vehicle rose approximately 8% year-over-year to about $118,375, largely reflecting lower production volumes rather than operational inefficiencies, CEO RJ Scaringe explained. Lower production contributed to a $14,000 increase in cost of goods sold per vehicle.

The company plans a three-week production pause in September (following a one-week pause in Q2) to integrate components and prepare for the critical launch of its smaller, more affordable R2 SUV next year.

Lucid said it largely avoided rare earth supply issues by using inventory magnets but faced tariff-related costs that pressured profit margins. The luxury EV maker also lowered its annual production forecast.

The expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit at September’s end removes a key demand driver. Analysts expect a sales surge in Q3 as buyers rush to benefit from the incentive before it ends, followed by a possible softening in Q4. Lucid’s interim CEO Marc Winterhoff noted the company is planning countermeasures to mitigate the expected demand slowdown.

The Trump administration’s removal of fuel economy penalties has severely reduced demand for regulatory credits, a significant revenue source for Rivian and Lucid. Rivian said it now expects about half of its initially forecasted $300 million in credit revenue this year and does not anticipate any revenue from credit sales in H2 2024.

Rivian raised its adjusted core loss forecast to between $2 billion and $2.25 billion for 2024, up from prior guidance of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion, but expects to roughly break even on gross profit. The company also anticipates record deliveries in Q3 across consumer and commercial segments, including its electric delivery vans for Amazon, its largest shareholder.