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Maybe Lucid Was Right All Along -- Bad News for Truck Makers
The Motley Fool· 2025-09-23 09:05
Core Viewpoint - The electric pickup truck market is facing significant challenges, with many automakers struggling to achieve profitability and sales growth in this segment [1][11][12] Industry Overview - Full-size trucks have historically been a major profit driver for automakers in Detroit, but the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is complicating this dynamic [1][11] - The electric pickup segment has failed to achieve substantial sales, with total registrations not surpassing 50,000 through July, contrasting sharply with the hundreds of thousands of gasoline-powered trucks sold annually [7] Company-Specific Insights - Tesla's Cybertruck has been labeled a commercial flop, with only 15,211 U.S. registrations year-to-date through July, representing a 14% decline compared to the same period in 2024 [3] - Rivian's R1T saw a 37% drop in U.S. registrations year-to-date through July, with July registrations down 40% [5] - Ford's F-150 Lightning experienced a 12% decline in registrations through July, with a 15% drop in July alone [5] - General Motors is the only automaker showing positive registration growth in the EV truck segment, with its Silverado EV, Sierra EV, and Hummer EV all posting gains [5] Economic Factors - The cost structure of electric pickups is fundamentally different from gasoline trucks, with battery costs significantly impacting margins [8] - Gasoline-powered trucks can command prices 2 to 3 times higher than sedans, leading to unprecedented profit margins, while electric trucks struggle to achieve similar profitability due to high battery costs [7][8] Future Outlook - There is potential for improvement as battery prices are expected to decrease, which could enhance the viability of electric pickups [9] - Ford is innovating its production process to improve efficiency and aims to produce a profitable electric pickup early in its lifecycle [10]
General Motors to Make an Investment of $888M in Tonawanda Plant
ZACKS· 2025-05-29 14:25
Investment Plans - General Motors Company (GM) plans to invest $888 million in its Tonawanda Propulsion plant to support the production of sixth-generation V-8 engines, aimed at improving performance, fuel efficiency, and reducing emissions [1][2] - This investment marks GM's largest single investment in an engine facility, making Tonawanda the second plant to produce the new engine series [2] Manufacturing and Production - The funding will be allocated for new machinery, tools, equipment, and facility upgrades, while the plant will continue producing the current fifth-generation V-8 until the sixth-generation production begins in 2027 [3] Market Position and Electrification - GM is the top-selling automaker in the United States, with strong sales from brands like Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac, contributing positively to its revenue [4] - The company has made significant progress in its electrification journey, achieving "variable profit positive" status for its EV portfolio in Q4 2024 due to production efficiencies and cost reductions [4] - GM expects to further reduce EV-related losses this year, supported by partnerships with companies like Vianode, Lithium Americas, LG Chemical, POSCO Chemical, and Livent, enhancing its EV supply chain [5]
GM Hits the Brakes on BrightDrop: Time to Rethink About the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-04-14 14:35
Core Viewpoint - General Motors (GM) is temporarily halting production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans due to cooling demand, affecting 1,200 workers at its CAMI Assembly plant in Ontario, with operations expected to resume in October 2025 [1][2][3] Group 1: Production and Employment Impact - GM is pausing operations at the CAMI Assembly plant to rebalance inventory and align production with slower-than-expected demand [1] - The production freeze will lead to a single shift operation upon resumption, resulting in 500 permanent job cuts [2] Group 2: Market Performance and Competition - GM's stock has declined 18% year to date, underperforming Ford's 6% decline, raising questions about potential buying opportunities [3] - GM remains the top-selling automaker in the U.S. with a market share of 16.5% in 2024, selling 693,363 units in Q1 2025, a 17% year-over-year increase [6] Group 3: Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy - GM aims to increase EV production from 189,000 units last year to 300,000 units in 2025, with Q1 2025 EV sales surging 94% to 31,887 units [10][11] - The company achieved "variable profit positive" status for its EV portfolio in Q4 2024, anticipating a $2 billion reduction in EV operating losses this year [11] Group 4: Financial Health and Shareholder Returns - GM has $35.5 billion in liquidity, including $21.7 billion in cash, and announced a 25% dividend hike effective with the next payout [13] - The company is actively buying back shares, having reduced its outstanding share count below 1 billion and initiating a $6 billion buyback program [13] Group 5: Future Outlook and Valuation - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GM's 2025 EPS has increased by 18 cents, indicating a 9% year-over-year growth [17] - GM stock is considered attractive with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 3.76, trading at a significant discount compared to industry levels and its own 5-year average [15]
GM Trading at a Deep Discount: 6 Reasons to Buy the Stock Now
ZACKS· 2025-03-18 14:00
U.S. legacy automaker General Motors (GM) is trading quite cheap at the moment from a valuation standpoint despite record financials and strong fundamentals. With a forward sales multiple of just 0.27 — below its five-year average and industry — GM presents an attractive value opportunity. It has a Value Score of A. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchGeneral Motors’ full-year 2024 revenues grew 9% to roughly $187 billion. It also set new records in adjusted EBIT ($14.9 billion). Annual earnings spiked 3 ...
GM's Investor Moves Impress but is it a Buy Amid Tariff Risks?
ZACKS· 2025-02-27 14:40
U.S. auto giant General Motors (GM) just gave investors a reason to cheer, announcing a 25% dividend hike and a $6 billion share buyback program. The stock rose 3.75% yesterday on the news as the automaker reinforced its commitment to shareholder returns.While the payout boost is exciting, should you buy General Motors stock now? Tariff risks loom large. U.S. President Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. And GM — which has the highest exposure to Mexico among U.S. automake ...