Rivian Plunges 4.7%—Is the EV Giant Losing Its Charge?

Summary
• Rivian’s stock tumbles 4.7% to $13.31, its lowest since August 2025
• Georgia plant delays and pricing concerns dominate headlines
• Options volatility surges as traders bet on near-term direction
• RSI hits 72.73, signaling potential overbought conditions

Rivian Automotive (RIVN) is under pressure as investors grapple with mixed signals from its expanding production plans and pricing strategy. The stock’s 4.7% intraday drop—its worst since late August—has drawn sharp options activity and raised questions about the sustainability of its recent rally. With the Georgia factory timeline delayed and 2026 pricing adjustments sparking debate, the market is testing whether Rivian’s long-term bullish narrative can withstand near-term headwinds.

Production Delays and Pricing Doubts Weigh on Sentiment
Rivian’s sharp decline stems from two key factors: delayed timelines for its Georgia factory and uncertainty over 2026 pricing adjustments. The Georgia plant, initially slated to begin production in 2026, now faces a 2028 timeline, raising concerns about capacity constraints. Meanwhile, forum discussions highlight skepticism about a $1,000 price hike for 2026 models without meaningful upgrades. These developments have triggered profit-taking and renewed bearish sentiment, particularly as the stock trades near its 52-week low of $9.50.

Automotive Sector Splits as Ford Gains Ground
While Rivian struggles, Ford Motor (F) is bucking the trend with a 0.08% intraday gain. The divergence underscores investor caution toward EVs amid shifting tariff policies and production delays. Ford’s recent employee pricing strategy and Bronco Raptor price cuts have positioned it as a more immediate sales catalyst, contrasting Rivian’s long-term R2 rollout. The sector’s mixed performance highlights the market’s preference for near-term execution over speculative EV growth.

Options and ETFs to Watch: Navigating Volatility
• 200-day average: 13.07 (near support)
• RSI: 72.73 (overbought)
• MACD: 0.347 (bullish divergence)
• Bollinger Bands: 11.66–14.84 (current price at lower band)

Rivian’s technicals suggest a volatile near-term path. The stock is testing its 200-day moving average and lower Bollinger Band, with RSI hinting at overbought conditions. Traders should monitor the $12.50–$13.00 support range and $14.00–$14.50 resistance cluster. High-liquidity options contracts offer strategic entry points for both directional and volatility plays.

Top Options Picks:
• RIVN20250919P13 (Put):
- Strike: $13.00
- Expiration: 2025-09-19
- IV: 57.21% (moderate)
- Leverage: 44.38% (high)
- Delta: -0.3687 (moderate bearish)
- Theta: -0.0005 (slow decay)
- Gamma: 0.3344 (high sensitivity)
- Turnover: $213,615
- Payoff (5% down): $0.655 (max(0, 12.64 – 13.00))
- Why: High gamma and leverage make this put ideal for a sharp decline, with liquidity to ensure execution.

• RIVN20250919C14 (Call):
- Strike: $14.00
- Expiration: 2025-09-19
- IV: 61.47% (moderate)
- Leverage: 57.89% (high)
- Delta: 0.3099 (moderate bullish)
- Theta: -0.0463 (moderate decay)
- Gamma: 0.2911 (high sensitivity)
- Turnover: $224,873
- Payoff (5% down): $0.00 (max(0, 12.64 – 14.00))
- Why: High leverage and gamma position this call to benefit from a rebound above $14.00, though theta decay requires a swift move.

Action: Aggressive bulls may consider RIVN20250919C14 into a bounce above $14.00, while bears should eye RIVN20250919P13 for a breakdown below $12.50.

Backtest Rivian Automotive Stock Performance
I attempted to automatically extract every “-5 % intraday plunge” for RIVN since 2022, but the calculation step failed because the raw file I retrieved does not yet contain an explicit “intraday drop ≥ 5 %” field for the engine to work with.There are two practical ways to proceed:1. Approximation with daily data (quickest). • Treat any trading day whose closing price is ≥ 5 % below the previous day’s close as the “-5 % plunge” event. • Pros: fast, uses readily-available data. • Cons: may miss drops that recover before the close, or count closes that drift down without a sharp intraday move.2. Precise intraday detection (slower, but exact). • Pull minute-bar data to identify sessions where the day’s low was ≥ 5 % below the previous day’s close. • Then back-test performance after those exact dates. • Requires a larger data request and processing step, so it will take a bit longer.Please let me know which route you’d prefer (or if you’d like to adjust the plunge definition). Once I have your preference, I’ll finish generating the event dates and run the back-test.

Rivian at a Crossroads: Watch the $12.50 Support
Rivian’s near-term fate hinges on its ability to stabilize around $12.50 and confirm a breakout above $14.00. The Georgia plant’s delayed timeline and pricing skepticism pose risks, but the stock’s long-term bullish trend remains intact. Investors should monitor Ford’s 0.08% gain for sector sentiment and Rivian’s options activity for directional clues. A breakdown below $12.50 could trigger a deeper correction, while a rebound above $14.00 may reignite the rally. Act now: Position for a $12.50 support test or a $14.00 breakout to capitalize on this pivotal juncture.