GM Navigates Tariff and EV Challenges Successfully
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy GM?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Profitability Enhancement: GM successfully offset over 40% of its tariff costs in 2025, and despite pressures from declining EV profitability, it exceeded earnings expectations in Q4, demonstrating the sustainability of its profitability.
- Dividend and Buyback Initiatives: The company announced a 20% increase in dividends and authorized a $6 billion share repurchase program, which not only boosts investor confidence but also lays a solid foundation for future shareholder returns.
- EV Production Adjustments: Although GM anticipates a decline in EV volumes for 2026, it plans to cut EV losses by $1 billion to $1.5 billion to navigate market challenges, showcasing its adaptability in the EV transition.
- Production Relocation: GM is moving its Buick compact crossover production from China to Kansas, which is expected to incur about $1 billion in near-term costs, but this move will help mitigate future tariff expenses and strengthen the company's long-term competitiveness.
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Analyst Views on GM
Wall Street analysts forecast GM stock price to rise
19 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 75.040
Low
57.00
Averages
95.06
High
122.00
Current: 75.040
Low
57.00
Averages
95.06
High
122.00
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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- Surge in Supply: By 2028, around 800,000 EVs are projected to hit the used market, leading to oversupply and further price depreciation, which may put additional financial strain on leasing companies.
- Tesla's Market Dominance: Tesla's leasing volume is substantial, with nearly 229,000 EVs leased last year, far exceeding the combined totals of General Motors and Ford, highlighting its strong influence in the industry.
- Financial Management Strategy: Despite industry challenges, Tesla mitigates its financial risk by managing a portion of its lease portfolio through partnerships with third-party lenders, allowing investors to remain cautiously optimistic while monitoring market developments in the coming years.
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- Leasing Market Risks: Tesla is expected to see a wave of off-lease EVs flooding the market in the coming years, with industry experts projecting these vehicles to return at values approximately $10,000 lower than anticipated, potentially costing the industry about $8 billion.
- Depreciation Trends: According to Cox Automotive, by 2025, a three-year-old EV will maintain only about 40% of its original value at auction, a significant drop from 90% in early 2022, indicating pressure on the used EV market.
- Tesla's Market Dominance: Tesla dominates the EV leasing market, having leased nearly 229,000 vehicles last year, which is significantly more than the combined total of General Motors and Ford, highlighting its strong industry influence.
- Investor Confidence Reminder: Despite the challenges posed by off-lease EV depreciation, Tesla's finance arm collaborates with third-party lenders, allowing it to mitigate most of the leasing losses, suggesting that investors need not panic just yet.
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- Widespread Tariff Impact: Trump's tariff policies have placed significant economic pressure on U.S. businesses over the past year, with approximately 80% to 85% of costs absorbed by companies, leading to reduced profits and increased consumer prices, thereby exacerbating overall economic uncertainty.
- Retail Sector Adaptation: While large retailers like Walmart have emerged relatively unscathed, smaller businesses have been severely impacted, with Home Depot aiming to limit purchases from any single country to 10% to reduce dependency and enhance supply chain flexibility.
- Automotive Industry Cost Surge: Automakers such as General Motors and Toyota are facing tariff impacts estimated at up to $9.5 billion, and although the Trump administration has taken steps to alleviate overlapping tariffs, overall costs remain significant, forcing companies to reassess their supply chain strategies.
- Pharmaceutical Sector Stability: Pharmaceutical companies have secured three-year tariff exemptions through pricing agreements with Trump, although new tariffs impose 100% on companies that do not reach agreements, the overall industry is still striving to increase investments in U.S. manufacturing.
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- Profit Source: Ford Credit, while generating only about 5% of the company's revenue annually, contributes 15% to 20% of profits, with last year's earnings before taxes reaching $2.6 billion and returning $1.7 billion in cash to Ford, supporting growth in electric vehicles and other initiatives.
- Leasing Risks: Ford Credit finances customer sales and leases, and is projected to face significant risks from off-lease EVs with residual values lower than expected, potentially crippling profitability, especially with nearly 800,000 EVs expected to come off lease by 2028.
- Market Dynamics: By the end of 2026, EVs are expected to make up 15% of off-lease used vehicles, up from just 7.7% in Q1 2023, indicating rapid changes in the EV market and its potential impact on Ford Credit.
- Industry Loss Estimates: Experts predict that the resale value of off-lease EVs will be around $10,000 less than projected, leading to an estimated industry-wide loss of about $8 billion in 2028, posing challenges for Ford and its competitors Tesla and General Motors.
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- Profitability Overview: Ford Credit has recorded only one annual loss in the past two decades, in 2008, and while it typically generates about 5% of the company's revenue, it contributes 15% to 20% of profits, highlighting its significance as a profit engine.
- EV Residual Value Risk: With nearly 800,000 EVs expected to flood the market by 2028, industry experts predict these vehicles will resell for about $10,000 less than projected, potentially leading to an industry-wide loss of approximately $8 billion, posing significant financial pressure on Ford Credit.
- Leasing Market Dynamics: Ford's performance in the EV leasing market is relatively weak, with only 52,000 EV leases last year compared to 228,000 for Tesla and 102,000 for General Motors, which may impact Ford's future profitability due to market share disparities.
- Investor Watchpoint: Although the current situation is less severe than the 2008 crisis, the residual value issues of EVs warrant close attention from investors, as they could unexpectedly affect Ford's financial health in the coming years.
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- Tesla Delivery Decline: Tesla reported first-quarter deliveries of 358,000 vehicles, a 14% drop from the previous quarter and below the expected 370,000, leading to a 4% decline in stock price, indicating market concerns over its growth outlook.
- Nike's Bleak Sales Outlook: Nike anticipates a 20% decline in sales in China for the current quarter, resulting in a more than 2% drop in stock price, highlighting increasing challenges the company faces in the global market that could impact future profitability.
- Globalstar Stock Surge: Globalstar shares rose 9% following reports that Amazon is in talks to acquire the company, although Amazon declined to comment, the optimism surrounding the potential acquisition boosted the stock price significantly.
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