Becker Business Podcast Summary

Episode: Rivian Reaches a Deal with Uber
Host: Scott Becker
Date: March 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses the significant new partnership between Rivian and Uber, focusing on Rivian's $1.25 billion deal to supply 50,000 robo taxis to Uber. The conversation centers on the implications for both companies, the context of fleet sales in the automotive industry, and how Rivian's performance compares to competitors like Lucid and Tesla.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Rivian's Deal with Uber

• Announcement of the Deal

  • Rivian will sell approximately $1.25 billion worth of robo taxis to Uber, totaling 50,000 vehicles.
  • The deal is a multi-year commitment and represents a major fleet sale.

• Market Reaction

  • Rivian's stock price increased roughly 6% following the news.
  • This reflects investor optimism about the company's new partnership and expanded market presence.

The Significance of Fleet Sales

• Impact on Car Companies

  • Fleet sales, such as this deal with Uber, "are typically not as high profit or high margin, but they do give a car company a certain amount of sort of ballast in mass." (Scott Becker, [01:11])
  • Fleet sales provide stability and help scale operations even if the per-unit profitability is lower compared to direct consumer sales.

• Rivian's Current Sales Context

  • In the last reported year, Rivian sold about 42,000 vehicles.
  • The Uber fleet deal is significant in size, almost matching Rivian's current annual sales volume, but will be fulfilled over several years.

Rivian's Position Relative to Competitors

• Comparison with Tesla and Lucid

  • Tesla: Sells about 1.6 million cars per year, down approximately 16% year to date.
  • Lucid: Sells about 16,000 cars per year, down around 2.7% year to date.
  • Rivian: Sells about 42,000 cars per year, down 20% year to date—taking "the chin the most this year."
  • Quote: "Rivian's taken on the chin the most this year. Down 20% year to date and selling about 42,000 cars a year." (Scott Becker, [02:03])

• Market Challenges

  • Despite these fleet deals, Rivian still faces challenges in scaling to the volume and profitability of larger competitors.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Stunning Scale of the Deal:

  • "They've agreed to a deal where they'll sell about $1.25 billion worth of robo taxis to Uber. That amounts to 50, 50,000 of the robo taxis to Uber. This is fascinating right now..." (Scott Becker, [00:39])

• On the Importance (and Limits) of Fleet Sales:

  • "Fleet sales are typically not as high profit or high margin, but they do give a car company a certain amount of sort of ballast in mass." (Scott Becker, [01:11])

• On Rivian’s Current Position:

  • "I was shocked to see that they're still only selling about 42 to 50,000 cars a year." (Scott Becker, [01:02])
  • "Rivian's taken on the chin the most this year. Down 20% year to date and selling about 42,000 cars a year." (Scott Becker, [02:03])

Important Timestamps

• [00:27] – Scott Becker introduces the topic and outlines the Rivian-Uber deal specifics.
• [01:02] – Discussion on Rivian’s annual vehicle sales and deal scale.
• [01:11] – Insights into the significance and nature of fleet sales.
• [02:03] – Comparison between Rivian, Tesla, and Lucid’s current market performance.

Tone & Language

Scott Becker maintains an analytical and slightly astonished tone, particularly regarding the volume of the Rivian-Uber deal versus Rivian’s existing sales. The discussion is succinct, direct, and business-focused, characteristic of his style in covering market news and company performance.

Summary

This episode offers a quick but deep dive into Rivian’s landmark deal with Uber as a pivotal moment for both companies and the broader electric vehicle market. Becker provides valuable context on the financials, strategic significance of fleet sales, and how those impact Rivian's competitive standing. This analysis helps listeners understand not only the immediate news but also industry dynamics at play.