Lucid Deliveries/Production : 2023-25

Below are Lucid delivery and production figures for the past three years. For figures going back to the beginning, an article on that can be seen by clicking here.

Deliveries were up 55% a nice increase. Production was also up, but this side of the data is less clear. Over 1,000 kits have been sent to Saudi Arabia for assembly there, but how they impact on the figures is unclear. 

While the numbers are modest, the direction is upward, so things are progressing. Getting more vehicles into markets outside of the US would surely now be a priority to continue the growth. 

Data source: Lucid.

Rivian Deliveries / Production Figures : 2023-25

Rivian delivered 42.000 in 2025 which was down 31% in Q4 and -18% for the full year. 

Production was -14% for Q4 and -15% for the complete year. So the 2025 figures are disappointing, although expected. 

Rivian had a target of 41,500 to 43,500 for the year, or about 10,500 per quarter. In 2024 it was just over 12,500 per quarter. 

At first glance, the fact the company made 14,611 for Q1 seems too high. The explanation was that a new model (R2 picture above) is coming in 2026 so later this year production will be compromised as the factory is readied for that. So inventory was being built up to meet sales demand while production is affected. That is how it is panning out.

U.S. federal BEV tax incentives ended at the end of September, 2025. That seems to have affected Q4 deliveries. How that will impact longer term will be watched with interest but it surely has to affect sales. Incentives create an artificially large volume, which is fine if they stay. Not so good when they are withdrawn.

Data & picture source: Rivian.

Tesla Deliveries & Production Figures : 2023-25

As the chart below shows, Tesla deliveries were 636,000 in 2025, down 9%. Q4 showed the largest fall at -16%. Production was slightly higher and Q4 was down only 5%. 

BYD has well and truly passed Tesla with the number of deliveries for electric cars (BEVs). It didn't surprise and I'm not sure how important that is. What is significant is the fall in net profit that seemingly has happened. Competition and withdrawn subsidies, along with other factors, are and will impact the bottom line. 

Data source: Tesla. The 2023/24 article can be seen by clicking here.

Great Minds Think Alike

I was walking past a pick up truck yesterday and said to my other half how there is no way I'd consider such a vehicle due to its excessive length. 

I questioned why it had to have such a long front nose and that for all its size, the rear tray wasn't that big. As a packaging exercise, I opined it was a big fail. There must be a better way.

Then today I came across the Telo MT1. OK, so it's more a city car with a useful rear tray. Yet how many people buy a humungous pick up when all they need is something with the same basic attributes, contained within much smaller dimensions. Well, here is an answer.

It has the same footprint as a three door MINI which admittedly isn't that mini, but that's still impressive. It seats five, uses electricity to propel it along the road and longer, flatter items can be pushed into the cab when extra length is required. 

So an idea with potential. They haven't disclosed where it will be built but it seems it will be outsourced to a manufacturer. Perhaps Tesla may be up for it as it would make a change for them to make a pick up that people actually want to own. (The Telo website link).

Buick China Sales : 2010-2024

Buick has a long history in China and has been a popular brand. When GM entered bankruptcy protection in 2009, decisions had to be made regarding restructuring. Buick was saved due to its strong position in China. We will see how that decision was vindicated by considering sales of the marque in China from 2010 to 2024. 

The figures include only cars made in China but I assume that is the vast majority if not all anyway. Import duty makes that a necessity. Sources can vary as to the numbers involved but in larger volumes of data it's not much of an issue. The chart figures need three zeros added so for example 900 equals 900,000.

2010-14: The chart to the right shows Buick sales went up from just over 500,000 to over 900,000. That was an increase from about 4% market share to just over 4.5%. 

In comparison, for the USA Buick increased from 155,000 to 225,000 with around 1.4% share. That's quite a difference with China well ahead. 

2015-19: Sales went from just over a million to above 1.3 million and then under 900,000. That had Buick reaching 5% market penetration, then falling to around 4.1%. In the US, sales were just over 200,000 per annum and 1.2% share. So the brand was still far more popular in China but the gap was closing. 

2020-24: From just over 900,000 units it plunged to barely over 300,000 by 2024. Its slice of the pie went from about 4.5% to 1.2%. Back home sales were about 170,000 and 1.1% market share. China was still the more important numerically but its share was now similar to the US. I wonder which was now the more profitable.

So what happened? Part of the reason was the Excelle model (photo at top). In 2014 it contributed over 500,000 units to the total (or 60%). By 2020, it was 300,000 (33%) but then the model was phased out and nothing fully took its place, the Envision and GL8 doing their best. 

In 2024 all models fell, some substantially. I assume that was due to giving up on chasing market share at the expense of profit. The issue was also that the market was changing and Buick wasn't keeping up. Electric cars are growing strongly in China and local brands are doing a good job of catering to that shift. 

Buick has introduced an electric brand (Electra, photo below) to cater to the swing toward new energy vehicles as they are referred to in China. How the Buick brand will go in future I'm unsure but then Electra may be the future for Buick in China. 

Rivian Deliveries/Production : 2023-2024

How electric vehicle sales are going in 2024 has been watched with interest by many. Newbies like Rivian have entered an environment of uncertainty and greatly reduced growth. Still, if the product is desirable then there is no reason for pessimism. Below are delivery and production figures for 2024 compared to 2023

Deliveries are to the left and production to the right. Deliveries were up 3% and production down 14%. The % column show the percentage of volume by quarter and the +/- a quarterly comparison with the quarter the year before.

Data & picture source: Rivian.

Rivian estimated a production total of 57,000 which seemed a tad optimistic. Its sales reached 51,600 and production 49,500. In 2023 production was higher as inventory increased. In 2024, numbers evened out as would be expected if inventories are to be kept under control. Currently, there are passenger car models (SUV and pick-up) and I assume the data also includes a delivery van. 

Rivian recently stated that it and the Volkswagen Group intend to enter a joint venture to create vehicle platforms to be used in both companies’ future electric vehicles. The Volkswagen Group will invest an initial $1 billion in Rivian, with up to $4 billion in planned additional investment. So that seems to be very positive news for this fledgling electric car manufacturer. 

Lucid Deliveries/Production : 2023-24

Lucid's deliveries were up 71% for the 2024 year to 10,241 units. This was in sharp contrast to production which was up just 7% at 9,029 units. 

I assume the leaning toward deliveries is reflective of the fact that stock levels need to be kept in check but it may be other factors at work. The electric car market is somewhat volatile. 

Comparing quarters for deliveries and each of them was up significantly. Production was more varied but it did end on a positive note with Q4 up 42%.  

The Gravity SUV arrives in 2025 so that will an important model for the company. It seems like a fine vehicle but the customers will decide its success. 

Data source: Lucid. 

Tesla Deliveries/Production : 2023-24

Tesla warned that 2024 was going to be a more challenging year for the company. It wasn't wrong. The electric vehicle market is getting model saturated and volume is plateauing. Without incentives electric car sales would be falling as is the case of New Zealand. Tesla experienced two consecutive quarter downturns for the first time ever but Q3 and Q4 almost redressed that. 

Deliveries and production were down 1% and 4% respectively. The Cybertruck came much later than desired but it clearly hasn't delivered the volume that was anticipated. Tesla doesn't give a breakdown by model. Fourth quarter deliveries of 2023 were narrowly beaten by the 2024 equivalent but not so with production volume. 

The chart below shows the quarter, volume, the percentage of each quarter and the percentage increase or decrease compared to the quarter the year before. As the quarters for the year didn't correspond to the full year totals, I added an adjusted figure to get the true total, which was higher than when the quarters were combined. 

So in the end a slight drop in deliveries and sales, which is a new experience for Tesla. It always had to happen at some point but with the increase of electric car sales slowing, and even more telling intense competition, the end to stellar growth arrived in 2024. The number of nearly 1.8 million deliveries was still impressive though, as has Tesla's automotive journey has been.

Data source: Tesla.

Fisker Deliveries/Production : 2023/2024 Q1

Fisker Automotive folded in 2014 after just approximately 2,000 Fisker Karma cars were sold. The marque was reborn when the California based Fisker Inc created the Ocean electric SUV model to be made at the Magna Styr plant in Austria. 

In late 2022 it was stated that the company had more than 63,000 orders for the vehicle. 300 cars were expected to be made in Q1 2023, going up to 8,000 (Q2), 15,000 (Q3) and 19,000 (Q4). 

It all sounded promising but what was the reality? Fisker released the figures for what actually unfolded as seen below. The 10,536 units produced in 2023 was reached from quarterly figures provided, which was slightly higher than the 10,193 that was the full year number given once the year concluded. 

Regardless, that was still over double the number produced compared to what was delivered for 2023. Clearly there was a disparity in what was planned as opposed to what transpired. A partner was sought from an existing major car making company. 

Production was halted after the first quarter of 2024 without a partner being secured. Magna Steyr is not expecting to make more vehicles. The 2024 figures vary slightly by source so I've estimated them - as seen on the right - but they should be close to accurate if not fully so. One thing is certain and that is thousands of cars are unsold. Fisker has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

It's not an unusual scenario that a start up company has high expectations but fails to deliver on them. Investors risk a great deal but in such a situation will almost certainly fail to get back what they outlayed.  

Lucid Delivery/Production : 2022-23

Lucid makes a quality car by all accounts but translating the concept into reality isn't easy. As Lucid reached two years of production, quarterly deliveries are around the 1,750 unit mark and production is just over 2,000. Apparently, over 700 kit set cars were sent to Saudi Arabia to be assembled but that figure may not yet be included in the chart below.

Lucid has just opened an assembly plant in that Kingdom that has an initial capacity of 5,000 cars per annum. Its potential capacity is 155,000. Being responsible for the first such plant in that country is somewhat of a coup I would have thought. 

I assume the reason for production is higher than deliveries is due to cars in transit and also building up inventory. In that case, there will be a balancing out in due course. 6,000 cars were delivered in 2023 and 8,400 were assembled. 

Tesla Global Deliveries : 2023

Tesla is maintaining an upward trajectory, initially many expected it to unravel at some point but it that never happen. It is now an established brand that managed to do what it needed to do very well. Startups are hard to succeed with but with the finances, a plan and good people it worked out.

Going back over the last three years, we see how deliveries have progressed. The only quarterly drops in previous quarters from 2019 forward were in Q2 2022 and Q3 2023 but overall that's a good outcome. As the numbers increase, constant quarterly increases will aturally become fewer.

Q4 2023 deliveries were up 16% on the previous year's Q3 figure (production 11%). Deliveries for 2023 were 1,808,500 which compares with 1,313,850 for the equivalent period in 2022. So is the prognosis good?

                                  Global sales were well up in 2023, that may have papered over some cracks. Electric car sales are stalling in many regions and some manufacturers have dropped prices to maintain their production volume. Global sales also have softened as 2024 approached. The new year looks like it may be challenging.

Data source: Tesla.

Rivian Delivery/Production : 2023

Rivian has released its sales and production data for the year of  2023. The models are the R1T pickup (pictured above) and the R1S SUV (below). So how is Rivian faring getting cars to customers?

Deliveries: 50,122  vehicles, up 147% from 2022. Q4 was up 73% on the equivalent period a year earlier but down 10% compared to Q3 2023. That meant the Q4 share of the year's deliveries was 27.9%. 

Production: 57,232 vehicles were manufactured, up 135% compared to 2022. This exceeds the company's expected production of 50,000 units. 17,541 cars were manufactured in Q4, up 75% on Q4 2022 and an 8% increase over Q3 2023. 

Some have been disappointed with the numbers but this is to be expected due to ironing out issues that crop up for what is a new operation. There was also a technology upgrade that reduced the production of one of the two models at the beginning of the year. 

Whatever the situation, the trajectory is on the up and 2024 will be revealing as to whether that will continue. 

Data source: Rivian.

Tesla's Amazing Feat

I recall reading opinions a few years back when some thought Elon Musk didn't know how to run a car company. Car making is a complicated and expensive undertaking and he was underestimating its difficulty. 

I admit I was wondering the same things myself but wasn't emphatic as I didn't have enough knowledge to be such. I did think he was overconfident but that may have been his way of assuring investors. Others' efforts to turn ideas and dreams into reality have struggled to deliver. It takes a lot of money to go from zero to hero in the car industry. 

Yet, it seems Tesla is making it. They got the funds needed. They charge heavily for add ons that are not very costly to implement. Production plants are tailored to making electric cars, therefore more efficient than mainstream competitors. The range is not excessive and complicated so materials and componentry are bought in volume and at competitive prices. 

All this leads to an important end product. Profit. I have read that profit margins are the highest in the industry. If so, talk of price realignments out of desperation is well wide of the mark. Factories running at full capacity are the best way to go, provided all the fundamentals mentioned above are in place. 

I must say the cybertruck looks hideous (futuristic amateurism) and a rush job. See the picture below if you doubt my opinion on aesthetics. It has been delayed to get issues sorted. Attractive design it is not but otherwise it has to be a well executed vehicle to succeed in a challenging but profitable segment of the industry. 

Tesla is surviving and by many accounts doing very nicely thank you. Mistakes have been made but they are not ignored and that has kept the reputation of Tesla cars intact. Elon doesn't make friends with everyone but that won't stop people from buying his cars. Nor his solar roofs (see picture above). 

Lucid Deliveries / Production : 2022

Lucid: luː.sɪd : Clearly expressed and easy to understand.

The style of the car measures up to the meaning of the word lucid. It has a large range for an electric car and fast acceleration. Overdo the latter and you lose out on the former but that's obvious. It's a spacious luxury car that is sleek and classy looking.

It seems the main problem is getting production and assembly quality up to scratch. That's to be expected as car making is complex but when customers put in orders, delays are not ideal. However, if I was ordering from a startup company for a car not yet built I would expect it may not all be plain sailing. 

The figures below show a few deliveries in 2021. I believe the Q2 production numbers reflect issues with assembly quality control and the big hike of over 200% the following quarter due to resolving that.

The goal for 2022 was 20,000 units produced. That was scaled back early this year to 12-14,000 and the current estimate is 6-7,000 units. The last estimate proved to be doable and in fact, slightly exceeded.

Picture and data source: Lucid

Rivian Deliveries / Production : 2021-22

It's not easy starting up in the car industry. Huge upfront costs and years getting from an idea to a fully operational and utilised assembly line. Rivian's focus has been with a pickup truck and an SUV. Both look very large but this is the USA where big is good. 

Production and deliveries started in late 2021 with about a thousand units each. For 2022, both P & D are up over 2000%, expected as the company ramps up. Just over 20,000 vehicles were delivered and production was close to 25,000. Early expectation was to build 50,000 units in 2022 but that was scaled back to 25,000 early in 2022. 

Quarterly increases in deliveries have been more variable than production but they are both going nicely in the right direction. 2023 will be interesting. The company has plenty of orders yet to fill and the plant in Illinois has an annual capacity of 150,000 units. 

The problem they seem to be facing is supply issues, which are hampering deliveries. I would have thought 75,000 deliveries in 2023 would be a target they would want to meet as a minimum but time will tell. 

Picture source: Rivian.

Tesla Deliveries 2022

Tesla got a jump on the car industry with its electric cars. Being an exclusive electric car maker is an advantage production wise as is having an owner with deep pockets. In addition, a faithful following of 'believers' is more than useful. Government incentives have aided electric manufacturers in general.

The issue is staying ahead and winning over more to the brand. Each year sales have grown and for 2022 that is still the case. Q4 deliveries were up 31% in the same time a year earlier and supply issues seem to be easing. 

Deliveries: As the chart to the right shows, Q1 deliveries increased by 68%, 27% for Q2 and 42% for Q3. Deliveries ended up a healthy +40% in total. 

Production: For the first part of the year, production was similar to deliveries but for the second half pulled ahead. That shows supply is improving and 2023 should start with some strong delivery figures as the cars arrive at their destination. 

In the end, 1,369,611 cars were produced, an amazing figure for a relatively new car manufacturer. 2023 will be intriguing.

Tesla Sales/Production History : 2016-21

Tesla really got the ball rolling with electric cars, spotting a market ICE producers were reluctant to enter. Now they are playing catch up and Tesla needs to stay ahead of the game. It certainly isn't holding back on expansion and new models. 

Tesla has the advantage of being purely electric. Its factories are designed to make such cars, which are less complex to assemble. Its focus is clearer. It has the technology sorted. Government incentives are all toward electric cars. 

Below are delivery and production data. In 2016, the numbers were around 80,000. The following year 100,000 and 250,000 in 2018. 360,000 (2019), 500,000 (2020) and now 930,000 (2021). The growth has exceeded my expectations. 

Traditional car manufacturers are coming, certainly not pleased they allowed Tesla the opportunity to achieve what it has done (and continues to do). The empire is striking back but to what effect? We will have to see. 

Data and pictures : Tesla.

A new plant is being constructed in Texas (below) so there is no slowing up.  

Tesla's Recent History In Quarters : 2016-2021

I have to say that Tesla has defied the odds in getting this far. They benefitted from starting from scratch, both in focus, product and assembly plants that were designed specifically for electric cars. That could also have been a negative in that they had to get all those factors just about right or blow their chance. 

Below in the chart, I've put both deliveries and production side by side. There is a repetition of very similar data but you can choose which is your preference. I'll focus on delivery data here.

In 2016, 76,000 vehicles were delivered with the medium size crossover model named X arriving during the year to support the existing large five-door liftback S. 2017 was up 35% in volume and a good result with the X (picture above) getting a full year under its belt. 

The four-door fastback styled car called the Model 3 was introduced and deliveries went through the roof. An increase of 138% was enjoyed by the company, followed by a more sedate 50% in 2019.

2020 heralded the Y model, a compact crossover. An increase of only 36% was caused by a fall in S and X sales. The combined 3 and Y models were now the volume drivers. The same situation has continued in 2021 with deliveries only 23% behind 2020 with half the year to go. Put another way, deliveries are +116% comparing the first six months of both years.  

So sales for Tesla are continuing at a pace as traditional carmakers are now rushing to catch up with them. The ICE (internal combustion engine) manufacturers haven't had the same singular focus but with many countries ending ICE sales in the near future, they are quickly switching their focal point to electric cars. The real battle has only just begun.