Yahoo Finance·2026-02-18 16:42Industry Overview - The electric vehicle (EV) sector has seen a decline in investor interest since the 2020-2021 boom, with many U.S. startup EV companies facing bankruptcy or struggling to remain relevant [1] - The U.S. EV industry is currently experiencing turmoil, exacerbated by the withdrawal of the $7,500 tax credit, leading to a drop in EV adoption rates to below 6% [6] Legacy Automakers - Legacy automakers have reported significant losses in their EV operations, with Stellantis taking a charge of $26.5 billion, Ford announcing a $19.5 billion write-down (including $5.5 billion in cash), and General Motors reporting a $7.6 billion loss in its EV business [2] - General Motors had previously committed to not selling gasoline cars after 2035, but its current losses highlight the challenges faced by traditional automakers in the EV market [2] Tesla's Shift - Tesla is shifting its focus from EVs to artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, such as the Optimus humanoid, and has reported a decline in deliveries for two consecutive years without providing delivery guidance for 2026 [5] - Despite the launch of new models, Tesla is expected to experience another year of degrowth [5] Ford's Strategy - Ford, despite incurring billions in losses in its EV business, is committed to the segment and is focusing on affordable EVs, including a new platform aimed at producing a $30,000 electric pickup truck expected to be available next year [7] - The company anticipates that the new models will be profitable from the outset [7]