Top 5 Auto Stocks Fueling Retail Investor Buzz In 2024

The automotive sector, particularly electric vehicle (EV) makers and legacy automakers transitioning to EVs, remained a hotbed of retail investor activity in 2024. 

Here are the top five auto stocks that saw the highest surge in message volumes on Stocktwits this year:

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (FFIE): +4,933% Message Volume

Dubbed a “classic” meme stock, Faraday Future surged in retail chatter following Keith Gill’s (Roaring Kitty) return to social media. The buzz amplified after the company secured $30 million in financing commitments, though its financial woes and minimal deliveries of its FF91 EVs cast doubt on its future. FFIE shares are down over 95% year-to-date.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (HMC): +4,800% Message Volume

Honda generated intense buzz after officially confirming merger talks with Nissan. The move aims to create the world’s third-largest automaker to better compete with Chinese EV giants and U.S. rivals like Tesla. Despite the excitement, Honda’s U.S.-listed shares are down over 7% this year.

Tesla Inc. (TSLA): +1,140% Message Volume

Tesla had a volatile year, starting with demand concerns and margin pressures but ending as a phenomenal performer with an 86% year-to-date gain. Key events included a third-quarter profit beat, plans to expand Full Self-Driving technology to China and Europe, and a turnaround driven by Donald Trump’s election win, which brought hopes of regulatory tailwinds for Tesla.

Polestar Automotive Holding (PSNY): +1,071% Message Volume

Polestar maintained retail interest with solid delivery numbers and plans to achieve cash-flow break-even by 2025, even as Wall Street’s 2024 expectations of 100,000 deliveries weigh. Concerns over Trump’s potential rollback of EV-friendly policies has added pressure, with shares dropping over 52% this year.

Lucid Group Inc. (LCID): +833% Message Volume

Lucid remained in focus as one of the few pure-play U.S. EV makers, launching production of its high-end Lucid Gravity SUV. CEO Peter Rawlinson has hinted at potential automaker partnerships, but production challenges and regulatory uncertainties under Trump’s administration weighed on sentiment. LCID shares have declined 22% year-to-date.

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