General Motors (GM) has experienced a robust quarter in the U.S., surpassing Toyota Motor in growth. However, despite the positive news, the stock prices have declined due to investors’ concerns over rising bond yields and the ongoing United Auto Workers strike against Detroit’s major car manufacturers.
Impressive Third-Quarter Deliveries
On Tuesday, GM (ticker: GM) announced that it had delivered 674,336 vehicles in the U.S. during the third quarter, marking a significant increase of approximately 21% compared to the previous year. Moreover, the company shipped over 20,000 electric vehicles (EVs), showing a remarkable 33% year-over-year growth.
Expanding the Electric Vehicle Lineup
Of notable importance is GM’s introduction of the all-electric versions of two popular models, the Chevy Blazer SUV and the Chevy Silverado pickup truck. This launch adds to GM’s already impressive lineup of electric models available in the market, including the Blazer, Silverado, Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer, Chevy Bolt, and the Bright Drop delivery van.
Despite these additions, GM still trails behind industry leader Tesla (TSLA) in U.S. EV sales. Tesla is estimated to have delivered over 160,000 vehicles during the third quarter. The final numbers will be confirmed by industry sources in approximately a week.
Sign of Progress and Ambition
Increasing vehicle sales not only suggest improved profit margins for GM but also indicate that their strategic approach is gaining momentum. In an effort to rival Tesla’s dominance, GM plans to expand its range of models across various segments of the automotive market.
GM’s strong performance in the U.S. serves as evidence of their commitment to innovation and advancement in the electric vehicle industry. With continued growth and potential new developments on the horizon, GM aims to solidify its position and build a more electric future.
GM Stock Struggles Amidst Market Turmoil
GM stock faced a setback, experiencing a 2.7% decline during midday trading. In comparison, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average saw slightly less severe drops of 1.3% and 1.1% respectively. The overall market downturn can be attributed, in part, to increased yields on Treasury bonds. This shift occurred after unexpectedly robust job market data was released on Tuesday morning. The positive job market numbers have led to speculations that the Federal Reserve will maintain high interest rates as a defense against inflation. Additionally, investor attention is fixated on the UAW strike that commenced on September 15th.
Toyota Achieves Steady Growth, Yet Lags Behind GM
In an independent report, Toyota (TM) disclosed its September sales figures, revealing a total of approximately 590,000 vehicles sold throughout the third quarter. While this signifies a notable year-over-year growth of 12%, it pales in comparison to GM’s impressive 21% growth.
Toyota’s strategic focus largely centers around hybrid technology rather than electric vehicles (EVs). This is evident as the company delivered about 4,000 all-electric vehicles in the third quarter, a significant increase from the mere three delivered in the third quarter of 2022. Conversely, Toyota’s hybrid sales soared to approximately 181,000 units during the same period, marking a remarkable 62% rise compared to the previous year.
Auto Market Decline Primarily Driven by Overall Market Weakness
Contrary to popular belief, the decline in auto stocks, including Toyota’s, can be attributed more to general market instability than to industry-specific issues. Toyota’s stock experienced a decline of 2.5% during midday trading. It’s worth noting that Toyota remains unaffected by the UAW strike.