March Used Vehicle Market Remains Strong
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 07 2026
0mins
Should l Buy GM?
Source: seekingalpha
- Index Increase: The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index rose to 215.3 in March, marking a 6.2% year-over-year increase and the highest level since summer 2023, indicating resilience and sustained pricing pressure in the used car market.
- Strong Prices: Non-adjusted wholesale prices increased by 5.7% year-over-year and 4.2% month-over-month, reflecting robust market demand and tight inventory, particularly bolstered by a strong tax refund season that further supports pricing.
- Healthy Demand: Cox Automotive noted that sales conversion rates were higher than in 2025 nearly every week, with March sales running ahead of typical spring patterns, showcasing positive consumer response, especially in luxury and midsize segments.
- EV Performance: The EV Index surged by 7.9% year-over-year and 3.7% month-over-month, standing out in the overall market and indicating rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles, which further enhances the overall performance of the used car market.
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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: 78.050
Low
57.00
Averages
95.06
High
122.00
Current: 78.050
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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- Dollar-Cost Averaging: Dollar-cost averaging involves regularly purchasing stocks or index funds at different price points, helping investors maintain a consistent investment rhythm amidst market volatility, making it suitable for long-term investing.
- Risk Tolerance: Risk tolerance refers to an investor's comfort with market volatility and potential losses, often revealed during market downturns, and requires self-reflection to fully understand.
See More
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- Depreciation Concept: Nick Sciple explains the accounting treatment of depreciation and its impact on corporate profitability, stressing that investors should focus on cash flow rather than solely relying on the income statement for a more accurate assessment of a company's financial health.
- Risk Tolerance: Alicia Alfiere explores the complexity of risk tolerance, highlighting the need for investors to engage in self-reflection during market volatility to better understand their investment psychology and decision-making processes.
See More
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- Increased Competition: Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD and Geely have overtaken Tesla in global EV sales, demonstrating strong competitiveness of Chinese brands in the global market, which may pressure American automakers' market shares.
- Tariff Policy Changes: Canada has reduced tariffs on Chinese EVs from 100% to 6.1%, although import caps remain, indicating a gradual market opening that could enhance acceptance and sales of Chinese EVs internationally.
- Rising Consumer Acceptance: As Chinese EVs become more prevalent globally, consumer recognition of their quality is increasing, which may prompt governments to further relax market access restrictions on Chinese EVs, accelerating industry consolidation and growth.
- Cautious Investment Outlook: Despite the promising prospects of the Chinese EV market, intense competition is squeezing profit margins, necessitating investors to carefully assess the investment value of Chinese EV companies, especially against the backdrop of market consolidation and policy changes.
See More
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- Market Acceptance Rising: Canada's reduction of tariffs on Chinese EVs from 100% to 6.1% and plans to gradually increase import caps indicate a growing acceptance of Chinese vehicles in global markets, potentially opening up broader opportunities for manufacturers.
- Intensifying Competition: BYD's 19% profit decline in Q1 2026 highlights the fierce competition in the EV sector, as other manufacturers vie for market share, which may lead to increased pressure on profits in the coming years.
- Historical Parallels: Similar to the rise of Japanese cars in the U.S. market, Chinese EVs may disrupt Western automakers by offering higher quality products, prompting innovation and improvement that ultimately benefits consumers.
- Cautious Investment Outlook: Despite the promising prospects of the Chinese EV market, analysts remain cautious about investments, suggesting that fierce competition may hinder significant returns for investors, especially given government intervention in the industry.
See More
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- Intensifying Market Competition: Without the $7,500 federal EV tax incentive, Ford faces fierce competition in the EV market, with expectations that its EV division will not break even until 2029, highlighting the urgency of its strategic adjustments in the electric vehicle sector.
- Poor Sales Performance: According to Cox Automotive, Ford sold 6,860 EVs in Q1 2026, representing a 70% decline year-over-year, while Toyota's bZ series sold over 10,000 units during the same period, achieving a 79% year-over-year growth, indicating significant challenges for Ford in maintaining market share.
- Product Strategy Shift: Ford plans to delay high-end EV projects and focus on more affordable EVs and hybrids, with its $30,000 mid-size electric pickup expected to launch next year, a strategy aimed at regaining market share, although it may continue to lag in sales rankings in the short term.
- Uncertain Industry Outlook: While Ford's EV sales rankings may drop further, the overall market is rapidly evolving, with Tesla capturing 54% of the market share, necessitating Ford to accelerate its transformation to meet changing consumer demands and competitive pressures.
See More
Ford's EV Sales Plummet Amidst Competitive Pressure
- Intensifying EV Market Competition: In Q1 2026, Ford sold only 6,860 EVs, a staggering 70% decline year-over-year, while Toyota's single model bZ sold over 10,000 units, marking a 79% increase, indicating a significant shift in market share.
- Market Share Dynamics: The U.S. EV market share stood at 5.8% in Q1 2026, unchanged from Q4 2025 and significantly lower than the 10.6% peak in Q3 2025, reflecting a weakening consumer demand for electric vehicles.
- Strategic Shift: Ford has announced a delay in high-end EV projects until 2028 and plans to launch a $30,000 mid-size electric pickup, demonstrating its commitment to pivot towards more competitive EV and hybrid models.
- Uncertain Industry Outlook: Despite facing fierce competition, Tesla still commands 54% of the market share, and Ford's ranking may drop further, making it challenging to regain lost market share in the short term.
See More
