Rivian Wins Analyst Confidence as Stifel Raises Target Ahead of Autonomy & AI Day

Rivian received a confidence boost on Wall Street after Stifel increased its price target to $17 from $16 and reiterated a Buy rating, citing stronger software economics and continued cost improvements following the company’s third-quarter 2025 results.

The firm pointed to improving unit profitability and a more favorable long-term trajectory as Rivian prepares for its upcoming Autonomy & AI Day in December.

Rivian sees rising software profitability and falling unit costs

Stifel’s updated outlook followed Rivian’s notably improved Q3 2025 financial metrics, which showed meaningful movement toward stronger per-vehicle economics. The firm highlighted several key positives, including rising software and service revenue, cost of goods sold dropping by roughly $2,200 per vehicle sequentially, and a sharp improvement in gross profit loss per vehicle. Excluding software and services, that figure improved to $(985) from $(3,142) in the prior quarter, significantly outperforming Stifel’s original forecast, according to Insider Monkey.

The analysts also reiterated Rivian’s ability to structurally reduce costs as the company transitions from its R1 to R2 platform. Stifel believes Rivian can cut costs by roughly half when scaling R2, strengthening its competitive footing in a segment increasingly defined by efficiency. Potential policy shifts may also reduce tariff exposure, potentially lowering import-related costs from several thousand dollars per vehicle to only a few hundred.

Upcoming Autonomy & AI Day aims to expand Rivian’s technology roadmap

Beyond financial progress, Stifel pointed to Rivian’s upcoming Autonomy & AI Day, scheduled for December 11, 2025, as a key moment for the company to lay out its broader technology roadmap. The event is expected to delve into Rivian’s AI strategy, in-vehicle software stack, autonomy capabilities, and longer-term product plans.

Stifel emphasized that Rivian’s long-term narrative remains intact, driven by the company’s integrated approach to EV manufacturing, software development, and services. With analysts reaffirming their Buy rating and raising the stock’s target price, Rivian continues positioning itself as a notable EV player entering a technology-heavy phase of the industry’s evolution.

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