Rivian secures up to $5 billion from Volkswagen, shares soar 40%

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Volkswagen plans to invest up to $5 billion in electric vehicle startup Rivian , starting with an initial investment of $1 billion. The additional $4 billion is expected by 2026. It includes plans for $1 billion each in 2025 and 2026, followed by $2 billion in 2026 related to an expected joint venture to create electrical architecture and software technology, according to a release by the automakers Tuesday. Shares of Rivian soared roughly 40% during after-hours trading Tuesday, two days ahead of an investor event for Rivian, which has been under pressure from Wall Street due to its cash burn and significant losses. Rivian stock closed Tuesday at $11.96 a share, down roughly 49% in 2024. The initial $1 billion from Volkswagen will be in the form of a convertible note, which could be converted to Rivian shares on or after Dec. 1, the release said. Rivian will host an investor call to discuss the tie-up at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday. Volkswagen is now the second legacy automaker to take a stake in the California-based company. Ford Motor was among Rivian's largest stakeholders, at roughly 12%, alongside Amazon when Rivian went public in 2021. The Detroit automaker exited Rivian in 2023 after walking back a plan to codevelop EVs with the company.