The electric vehicle (EV) industry continues to heat up as two of its marquee players, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:RIVN), showcase contrasting trajectories.

While Tesla remains the established juggernaut, Rivian's recent strides suggest it's revving up to challenge the status quo.

Tesla: Deliveries Dep But Stock Chart Shows Strength

Tesla's stock has been a solid performer, up 70.39% over the past year and maintaining a 5.26% gain this past month. Despite these gains, recent annual vehicle deliveries dropped to 1.79 million in 2024, down from 1.81 million in 2023.

The company managed record fourth-quarter production in 2024, yet deliveries in the quarter fell short compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

Chart created using Benzinga Pro

From a technical perspective, TSLA stock remains in bullish territory, with its stock price above the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMAs).

The MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) indicator at 14.51 and an RSI (relative strength index) of 52.30 suggest TSLA stock still has room for upward movement, though recent bearish signals from shorter-term averages may raise caution.

Read Also: Tesla To Rally Around 20%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Monday

Rivian: Deliveries Exceed Estimates, Stock Gains Momentum

Rivian, while newer to the game, is riding a wave of optimism. The stock is up 23.86% this past month, driven by delivery numbers for the fourth quarter 2024, which outperformed Wall Street estimates.

Delivering 14,183 vehicles in the quarter, Rivian also surpassed its annual guidance, producing 49,476 vehicles and delivering 51,579—a modest yet significant improvement over 2023 figures.

Chart created using Benzinga Pro

On the technical front, Rivian stock is decisively bullish, with its price above all key moving averages. The RSI of 67.56, however, indicates it is approaching overbought levels.

Investors must weigh the short-term gains against potential corrections as the stock navigates elevated valuations.

The Verdict: Dominance Vs. Potential

Tesla's scale makes it the leader of the EV market, but Rivian's recent momentum could disrupt the narrative. Tesla's production volumes dwarf Rivian's, but the latter's ability to beat expectations and its focus on scaling production might attract growth-focused investors.

For now, Tesla offers stability and long-term dominance, while Rivian provides the allure of a promising growth story. The choice ultimately depends on whether investors seek a tested titan or an emerging contender ready to accelerate.

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