How Tesla’s Competitive Edge Could Surge Amidst UAW Strike Threat to Big Three Automakers
As Tesla continues to dominate the American electric vehicle (EV) landscape with its cutting-edge technology and expansive Supercharger Network, a looming threat in the form of a potential United Auto Workers (UAW) strike could catapult Tesla even further ahead, rendering its lead nearly insurmountable.
The current agreement between the UAW and the “Big Three” American automakers – Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis – is set to expire this Thursday unless a new labor agreement is reached. While the immediate consequence of a strike would halt production and manufacturing temporarily, the repercussions could be far-reaching and long-lasting for these automotive giants.
According to J.D. Power, a protracted strike lasting about two weeks could lead to a modest uptick of less than 2 percent in the prices of new vehicles across the board. Tyson Jominy, the firm’s vice president of data and analytics, expressed this concern when he stated, “Everyone’s going to see higher prices regardless of the company you buy from if it (the strike) continues for more than two weeks.”
While Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen, foreign-based automakers, may benefit from the potential disruption to domestic brands caused by the UAW strike, it’s Tesla that stands to gain the most ground in the EV arena.
Tesla’s strategic price reductions earlier this year have already made its electric vehicles more competitively priced. Furthermore, Tesla’s ability to maintain cost-competitive offerings makes it an attractive choice for consumers. The Model 3 and Model Y, in particular, boast affordability and appeal. Although GM’s Chevrolet Bolt is priced lower, Tesla’s robust infrastructure and other compelling factors make its vehicles the preferred choice among consumers. If prices were to rise due to a prolonged strike at Ford and GM, it could deal a significant blow to these manufacturers who have strived to develop EVs capable of rivalling Tesla.
The repercussions extend beyond pricing to vehicle inventories. Garrett Nelson, an analyst with CFRA, predicts that strikes at Ford, GM, and Stellantis would reduce production by a staggering 150,000 units per week. As inventories dwindle, prices are likely to surge, exacerbating the ongoing challenges posed by inflation and forcing consumers to make even more substantial cutbacks.
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, and Mary Barra, CEO of GM, now find themselves at a pivotal juncture, facing the pressure of navigating a complex situation with limited options. The UAW strike threat has pushed them “with their backs against the wall,” as observed by Dan Ives of Wedbush.
