Sign in

    Alex Potter

    Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler & Co.

    Alex Potter is a Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler & Co., specializing in transportation technology with a focus on electric vehicles, automotive e-commerce, ride-hailing, and last-mile delivery platforms. He covers leading companies such as Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Carvana, Aptiv, Mobileye, Stellantis, BorgWarner, ACV Auctions, Polestar, and Getaround, earning recognition for timely and high-return calls such as a noted 7,400% return on Getaround and triple-digit percentage returns on Polestar as tracked by TipRanks and Benzinga. Potter began his analyst career after working as a Beijing-based consultant to the World Bank and joined Piper Sandler in 2008; he is a 2003 Fulbright Scholar, holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, and a B.A. from St. Olaf College. An active industry contributor fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Potter is also registered with FINRA, holding Series 7, 63, 86, and 87 securities licenses.

    Alex Potter's questions to CARVANA (CVNA) leadership

    Alex Potter's questions to CARVANA (CVNA) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Alex Potter asked how Carvana's unit economics might change as it potentially expands into lower-priced, older vehicles to achieve its long-term volume target of 3 million units.

    Answer

    CEO Ernie Garcia responded that the company does not necessarily need to significantly alter its vehicle mix to reach its 3 million unit goal. He explained that the current market for cars less than 10 years old is vast, and Carvana's current product distribution is already broad. He believes there is ample opportunity to grow within its existing segments across the franchise, independent, and private-party markets without a required shift down-market.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Alex Potter's questions to Rivian Automotive, Inc. / DE (RIVN) leadership

    Alex Potter's questions to Rivian Automotive, Inc. / DE (RIVN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alex Potter asked if Volkswagen's internal restructuring could impact the joint venture and whether the Connect+ subscription service is material enough for investors to model.

    Answer

    CEO RJ Scaringe positioned the JV as a key enabler of VW's efficiency goals, stating it provides a cost-effective path to advanced technology. Regarding Connect+, he explained it currently covers variable data costs and that the industry is still exploring the best model for monetizing future services, suggesting the value will ultimately be captured in the vehicle's price, whether upfront or via subscription.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Alex Potter's questions to ASPEN AEROGELS (ASPN) leadership

    Alex Potter's questions to ASPEN AEROGELS (ASPN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Alex Potter asked for an update on the ACC battery joint venture's ramp for the Stellantis and Mercedes-Benz platforms, potential revenue recognition timing for these late-2025 launches, and the approximate content per vehicle for the new Mercedes award.

    Answer

    CFO Ricardo Rodriguez confirmed that Aspen is planning for a second-half 2025 start of production for these platforms, which hedges against potential ramp-up risks, and that revenue recognition would also begin in H2 2025. He specified that the content per vehicle for the Mercedes platform is in line with other prismatic cell programs, around the $300 per vehicle range.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Alex Potter's questions to LILM leadership

    Alex Potter's questions to LILM leadership • Q4 2023

    Question

    Asked for clarification on whether the cash spend guidance is net of pre-delivery payments (PDPs), inquired about the expected delivery mix between private and airline customers in the initial years of service, and sought an update on the progress and clarity of certification in the United States.

    Answer

    The cash spend guidance is gross operational spend and does not include inflows from PDPs. The delivery mix is expected to start with a steady premium/private market of 50-150 units per year, with the shuttle edition for airlines growing tremendously over time. For U.S. certification, Lilium has its G-1 paper in place, but the FAA's operational SFAR rules are not yet finalized for the industry, placing Lilium on a similar or more advanced timeline as its U.S. competitors.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Alex Potter's questions to POWER SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL (PSIX) leadership

    Alex Potter's questions to POWER SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL (PSIX) leadership • Q4 2015

    Question

    Alex Potter of Piper Jaffray requested a breakdown of the projected $100 million on-highway revenue between acquired Powertrain Integration business and organic PSI business. He also asked for an update on the consolidation of manufacturing facilities and the supply status of Perkins engine blocks from Caterpillar.

    Answer

    COO Eric Cohen explained that while the majority of the initial revenue is from the legacy Powertrain Integration business, the organic PSI business is the fastest-growing component. He also confirmed that all engine manufacturing would be consolidated into the Wood Dale facility. CEO Gary Winemaster acknowledged ongoing supplier challenges with Perkins but noted the company is developing new products, like a 29-liter engine, to address market needs.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Alex Potter's questions to POWER SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL (PSIX) leadership • Q3 2015

    Question

    Alex Potter from Piper Jaffray asked for the company's year-over-year organic growth rate, how demand from China would be serviced, and which specific engines were being sold into the Chinese market.

    Answer

    CEO Gary Winemaster declined to provide a specific organic growth rate. He and COO Eric Cohen explained that China's forklift demand is serviced via its joint venture, while on-road business is handled directly by PSI. The primary engines for the on-road market are the GM 6.0-liter and 4.8-liter, with opportunities to expand into other engine families like the 8.8-liter and 4.3-liter V6.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI

    Alex Potter's questions to POWER SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL (PSIX) leadership • Q2 2015

    Question

    Alex Potter of Piper Jaffray inquired about the confidence level in the revised oil and gas guidance, growth prospects for the material handling business, the reasons for the heavy-duty supplier delays, and whether the expected propane engine orders from Navistar for school buses materialized in June and July.

    Answer

    CFO Dan Gorey stated that the new oil and gas guidance is conservative and based on customer conversations. He also highlighted that the material handling business is performing very well and aftermarket continues to be a strong, high-margin contributor. Chairman and CEO Gary Winemaster explained the heavy-duty program delay was due to an issue with a directed supplier for their Caterpillar Perkins program, pushing the anticipated $25 million in revenue to the next year. He confirmed that while the Navistar school bus orders were delayed by about a month, they are now in production.

    Ask Fintool Equity Research AI