While most electric car startups are still struggling to survive, Rivian’s CEO RJ Scaringe just got a massive vote of confidence — and it’s well deserved.
Newsweek has just named RJ Scaringe the 2025 “Executive Disruptor of the Year”, placing him among the world’s top auto leaders making real waves in the industry.
And no, this isn’t just a PR stunt — the award reflects a bold comeback story built on tough choices, smart moves, and relentless innovation.
How Rivian Beat the Odds
Launching a new car company is hard. Doing it during a global pandemic? Nearly impossible.
But Rivian pulled it off.
- It launched not one, but two rugged electric vehicles: the R1T pickup and R1S SUV
- It secured a massive deal with Amazon for electric delivery vans
- It revealed next-gen models like the R2, R3, and R3X
- It struck a $5.8 billion partnership with Volkswagen
- And it landed a $6.57 billion federal loan to build a major plant in Georgia
Most impressive? Rivian posted a $170 million gross profit in Q4 2024 — a rare feat in today’s EV world.
Why Newsweek Gave Him the Title
“Strategic decisions that resulted in a gross profit of $170 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the maturing business model of the Rivian brand in a BEV-adverse environment are why RJ Scaringe is Newsweek’s 2025 Executive Disruptor of the Year,” the magazine wrote.
In other words: Rivian is making EVs profitable — and that’s a big deal.
What RJ Scaringe Had to Say
True to his leadership style, Scaringe gave credit to the people who helped build the company from the ground up:
“This honor truly belongs to the entire incredible team of disruptors at Rivian,” he said.
“Every step forward we’ve taken—whether in the design studio, on the assembly line or in our software—has been driven by people who believe deeply in our mission.”
He also thanked Rivian’s loyal community for sticking with the brand through thick and thin.
We’re proud to share that our founder and CEO @RJScaringe has been named Executive Disruptor of the Year for @Newsweek’s World’s Greatest Auto Disruptors awards!
Read more about it: https://t.co/vjNei2bgrN pic.twitter.com/ZYBqNrCWCx
— Rivian (@Rivian) April 15, 2025
What This Means for Tesla (And the Industry)
Tesla may be the OG disruptor in the EV space, but Rivian is proving it’s not just another startup — it’s a serious player with real results.
This recognition shows that Rivian isn’t just building cool trucks. It’s building a sustainable business in an environment where even legacy automakers are struggling to turn a profit on electric vehicles.
What do you think?
Can Rivian really compete with Tesla long-term?
Is profitability the new benchmark for EV success?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and tag a friend who’s been following Rivian’s journey.
