U.S. Visionaries: 3 Long-Term Investments Forging America's Future

The article highlights Archer Aviation, First Solar, and Rivian as companies committed to U.S. manufacturing that may benefit from tariffs on foreign goods. Archer Aviation, focused on electric air taxis, plans to begin production in Georgia, while First Solar, a solar panel manufacturer with a vertically integrated U.S. supply chain, derives the vast majority of its revenue from domestic customers. Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, assembles vehicles in Illinois, though its supply chain is still subject to some tariffs; the company recently opened sales of its commercial vans to all U.S. fleets.

Analysis

The current trade environment, characterized by discussions and impositions of tariffs, is prompting a closer look at companies with significant U.S.-based manufacturing operations. Archer Aviation (ACHR), First Solar (FSLR), and Rivian (RIVN) are highlighted as entities potentially well-positioned due to their commitment to domestic production. Archer Aviation, currently in a pre-revenue phase, aims to launch air taxi services in major U.S. metropolitan areas, planning to manufacture its eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, in Georgia with partner Stellantis, targeting initial production this year and scaling to two aircraft per month by end-2025. However, Archer faces substantial risk pending FAA certifications. First Solar, a manufacturer of utility-scale solar panels, benefits from a vertically integrated U.S. supply chain spanning 13 states, with a new Louisiana facility expected to commence operations in H2 2025. This domestic focus makes its panels an attractive alternative to Chinese imports subject to tariffs, underscored by its significant U.S. revenue (92.8% of consolidated sales in 2024). The company is also well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing power demands from sectors like AI, as evidenced by Microsoft's recent solar power procurement. Rivian manufactures its R1 electric pickup and commercial vans (RCVs) in Illinois, reporting $4.97 billion in revenue for 2024, largely from U.S. sales. The company is expanding its RCV sales to all U.S. fleets beyond its exclusivity agreement with Amazon and plans new models (R2, R3) with production expansion in Illinois and a new Georgia facility slated for 2026-2028. Despite its U.S. assembly, Rivian's supply chain remains exposed to tariffs on foreign components.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors with a higher risk tolerance might consider Archer Aviation (ACHR) for its disruptive potential in urban air mobility, while closely monitoring FAA certification milestones and initial production ramp-up.
• First Solar (FSLR) presents a more conservative investment, appealing to those seeking exposure to the renewable energy sector and U.S. manufacturing resilience, particularly given its strong domestic sales and tariff advantages over foreign competitors.
• Rivian (RIVN) offers a mid-tier risk-reward profile in the EV space; investors should weigh its U.S. production expansion and opening of RCV sales against its continued reliance on a global supply chain susceptible to tariff impacts and its path to profitability.