Trump's Reversal of EPA Finding Impacts Auto Industry
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy GM?
Source: CNBC
- Policy Reversal: The EPA's decision to reverse its finding on greenhouse gas harms may boost sales of gas-guzzling vehicles but poses a significant threat to the electric vehicle market, particularly after the removal of federal tax credits, which led to a dramatic drop in EV sales in October.
- Market Reaction: According to Cox Automotive, EVs peaked at 10.3% of the new vehicle market in September, just before federal incentives ended, but sales plummeted afterward, indicating a direct impact of policy changes on consumer demand for electric vehicles.
- Industry Opposition: Automakers like Tesla oppose the EPA's decision, arguing that reversing the endangerment finding undermines the regulatory framework that supports investments in EVs, potentially harming consumer choice and economic benefits while affecting the integrated North American automotive sector.
- Future Outlook: Despite policy challenges, the market potential for EVs remains strong, as battery prices decline and the number of models increases, with experts suggesting that the commercial viability of EVs will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace due to current regulatory headwinds.
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Analyst Views on GM
Wall Street analysts forecast GM stock price to rise
18 Analyst Rating
16 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 79.930
Low
48.00
Averages
82.06
High
100.00
Current: 79.930
Low
48.00
Averages
82.06
High
100.00
About GM
General Motors Company designs, builds and sells trucks, crossovers, cars and automobile parts and provides software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The Company's segments include GMNA, GMI, Cruise and GM Financial. Its GM North America (GMNA) and GM International (GMI) develop, manufacture and/or markets vehicles under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands. The Company provides automotive financing services through its General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (GM Financial) segment. Its Cruise segment is engaged in the development and commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology. Its software-enabled services and subscriptions, including OnStar, its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including Super Cruise driver assistance technology, and its end-to-end software platform. The Company is also focused on investing in electric vehicles (EVs) and AVs, software-enabled services and subscriptions and new business opportunities.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- New Business Ventures: Tesla plans to launch household robots priced between $20,000 and $30,000 by the end of 2027, a move that may be driven by the stagnation of its EV business, highlighting the company's urgent need for diversification.
- Intensified Market Competition: Global EV sales reached 20.7 million in 2023, a 21% increase, with competitors like BYD and Volkswagen capturing significant market share, suggesting that Tesla's dominance in the EV market is being challenged.
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- Declining EV Profitability: As of the end of last year, Tesla's net profit per vehicle was only $4,000, significantly down from $10,000 in 2022, indicating severe challenges to profitability amid the ongoing EV price wars.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Global EV sales reached 20.7 million units in 2023, a 21% increase, with Tesla losing market share to competitors like BYD and Volkswagen, undermining its position in a rapidly growing market.
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- Stagnant EV Business: Despite a reduction in average production costs, Tesla's net profit per vehicle fell to just $4,000 by the end of 2023, significantly lower than the $10,000 achieved in 2022, indicating the adverse impact of intensified competition on profitability.
- New Business Ventures: Tesla plans to launch household robots priced between $20,000 and $30,000 by the end of 2027, a move that may be driven by the stagnation of its EV business, highlighting the company's urgent need for diversification.
- Intensified Market Competition: Global EV sales reached 20.7 million in 2023, a 21% increase, with competitors like BYD and Volkswagen capturing significant market share, suggesting that Tesla's dominance in the EV market is being challenged.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: While Tesla's prospects in autonomous driving and solar energy are promising, market skepticism remains regarding the profitability and timelines of its new ventures, as analysts generally value TSLA stock at only $422.09, reflecting investor uncertainty about future growth.
See More
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- New Business Expansion: Tesla plans to launch household robots priced between $20,000 and $30,000 by the end of 2027, although the company's leadership in electric vehicles faces competitive pressures, and the profitability of these new ventures may take longer to materialize.
- Declining EV Profitability: As of the end of last year, Tesla's net profit per vehicle was only $4,000, significantly down from $10,000 in 2022, indicating severe challenges to profitability amid the ongoing EV price wars.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Global EV sales reached 20.7 million units in 2023, a 21% increase, with Tesla losing market share to competitors like BYD and Volkswagen, undermining its position in a rapidly growing market.
- Investor Confidence Shaken: Despite Musk's continued optimism about the future, analysts have set a target price of only $422.09 for Tesla stock, reflecting concerns about the outlook for its EV business, leading investors to adopt a cautious stance regarding the company's diversification strategy.
See More
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- Market Challenges: Ford faces weak passenger vehicle demand, slower-than-expected EV adoption, and fierce competition from Chinese EV makers, which threaten its market share and profitability in Europe.
- Profitability Volatility: Although Ford returned to profitability through restructuring in late 2020, its subsequent quarterly performance has been unstable, compounded by the cancellation of popular models like the Fiesta and Focus, increasing labor and energy costs.
- Three-Pronged Strategy: Ford's plan to tackle European challenges includes focusing on its higher-margin Ford Pro commercial vehicle division, refreshing its passenger vehicle lineup, and improving operational efficiencies, which are crucial for its business turnaround.
- Partnership Potential with Geely: Ford's potential collaboration with China's Geely, leveraging its excess production capacity to manufacture vehicles for Geely, could help avoid high tariffs and enhance Ford's competitiveness through shared technology, positioning it better in the EV market.
See More
Ford's Restructuring and Challenges in Europe
- Market Share Pressure: Ford's market share in Europe has been severely impacted by the cancellation of popular models like the Fiesta and Focus, and although it returned to profitability through restructuring in late 2020, subsequent quarterly performances have remained volatile, reflecting the complexity of the market environment.
- Strategic Transformation Plan: Ford aims to tackle market challenges through a three-pronged strategy focusing on its high-margin Ford Pro commercial vehicle division, refreshing its passenger vehicle lineup, and improving operational efficiencies, which is intended to strengthen its foothold in the competitive European market.
- Potential Partnership Opportunity: The potential collaboration with China's Geely could provide a turning point for Ford's European operations, as utilizing excess production capacity to manufacture vehicles for Geely could not only reduce tariff costs but also offer advantages in technology sharing, particularly in autonomous driving.
- Intensifying Industry Competition: With the rapid rise of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, Ford faces pressure from these competitors and must learn new production and design techniques to maintain its market competitiveness, especially in innovation and cost control within the electric vehicle sector.
See More
General Motors' Transformation and Challenges in the Chinese Market
- Market Share Growth: General Motors has achieved growth in both retail sales and market share in China, with nearly 1 million new-energy vehicle (NEV) sales accounting for over half of its total sales, indicating a gradual recovery in a highly competitive market.
- EV Strategy Adjustment: Despite incurring a $1.1 billion restructuring charge, GM plans to lower production costs by focusing on high-end models and NEVs, particularly through its Buick and Cadillac brands, enhancing its competitive position.
- Future Product Planning: In 2026, all new GM products in China will include NEV options, with increased local production, which is crucial for maintaining price competitiveness and demonstrates the company's long-term commitment to the EV sector.
- Changing Market Environment: Although the Chinese market is unlikely to become a second profit pillar for Detroit automakers, its vast size and advanced NEV technology make it essential for GM to compete, preparing the company for challenges from Chinese automakers in the future.
See More
GM's Restructuring in China Shows Early Results
- EV Market Restructuring: GM's restructuring efforts in China's EV market are yielding early results, with nearly 1 million new energy vehicle (NEV) sales in 2025, accounting for over half of total sales, indicating a gradual recovery in a highly competitive landscape.
- Financial Adjustments Impact: Despite facing a $19.5 billion special charge, GM took a $1.1 billion asset write-down in Q4, primarily related to restructuring its Chinese joint venture, aimed at reducing production costs and optimizing its vehicle portfolio.
- Market Share Growth: In 2025, GM experienced growth in both retail sales and market share in China, with total sales up only 2.3%, but NEV sales surged by 22.6%, showcasing its potential in the high-end EV market.
- Future Strategic Direction: GM plans to include NEV options in all new product launches in 2026 and enhance local production to maintain price competitiveness, a strategy that will lay the groundwork for its long-term development in the Chinese market.
See More
