
Next Chevrolet Camaro to follow the ‘formula'... if it happens
The sixth-generation Camaro – which currently races in Australia's Supercars racing category against the Mustang – went out of production in 2023.
At the time, GM – which owns Chevrolet – assured devastated enthusiasts and fans "this is not the final chapter for the nameplate".
Now, GM President Mark Reuss has said chances of a seventh-generation Camaro will depend on whether GM could deliver a car worthy of the name.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"I think that formula of beauty, and a little bit of functionality and fun, all of that is important," the GM boss told The Detroit News.
"If we were getting back into Camaro, that piece of it is really important. I think that would be a great formula, and we have the ability to do that."
The formula would include the Camaro being "affordable and attainable" according to previous reports – with cheap muscle being key.
That also makes an electric successor to compete with the new-generation Dodge Charger – offered with both twin-turbo six-cylinder and EV powertrains in the US – even less likely for now, too.
Yet reports in early 2025 suggested GM management put paid to a successor, V8-powered or otherwise, as the business case didn't stack up.
Mr Reuss followed his comments by reiterating the sports car market in the US is shrinking – which makes a Camaro comeback less likely.
GM would have taken note of Mustang's 44,003 sales in the US in 2024, which were the worst in the nameplate's 60-year history – and saw it outsold by the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.
The Mustang lost its stranglehold as Australia's best-selling sports car in 2024, too, with supply issues seeing it demoted to third behind the BMW 2-Series and Subaru BRZ – although it has clawed its way back to the top in 2025.
The sixth-gen Camaro was sold as a rear-wheel drive coupe and convertible with a range of turbocharged four-cylinder and naturally aspirated V6 and V8 petrol engines, with a choice of automatic or manual transmissions.
In Australia and New Zealand, GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) imported a small number of V8 Camaros, but didn't benefit from a factory-backed right-hand drive production program like Mustang has.
This meant the Camaro was priced much higher than the Ford in Australia, which was a performance car bargain when it arrived in local showrooms in 2015 at $59,990 before on-road costs for a V8 manual coupe.
A six-speed manual V8 Camaro, converted to right-hand drive, was priced from $85,990 before on-road costs when it first arrived in Australia in 2018.
The Mustang's price has since shot up, with the current V8 manual coupe starting at $83,990 after range-wide $5000 price rises from July 1, 2025.
Ford Australia pointed to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) introduced here in 2025 as a factor in upping the Mustang's price.
MORE: A look back at the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ford Mustang's nemesis
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Chevrolet Camarosports car, arch-rival to the Ford Mustang, could make a comeback if the 'formula' is right, says General Motors president Mark Reuss.
The sixth-generation Camaro – which currently races in Australia's Supercars racing category against the Mustang – went out of production in 2023.
At the time, GM – which owns Chevrolet – assured devastated enthusiasts and fans "this is not the final chapter for the nameplate".
Now, GM President Mark Reuss has said chances of a seventh-generation Camaro will depend on whether GM could deliver a car worthy of the name.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"I think that formula of beauty, and a little bit of functionality and fun, all of that is important," the GM boss told The Detroit News.
"If we were getting back into Camaro, that piece of it is really important. I think that would be a great formula, and we have the ability to do that."
The formula would include the Camaro being "affordable and attainable" according to previous reports – with cheap muscle being key.
That also makes an electric successor to compete with the new-generation Dodge Charger – offered with both twin-turbo six-cylinder and EV powertrains in the US – even less likely for now, too.
Yet reports in early 2025 suggested GM management put paid to a successor, V8-powered or otherwise, as the business case didn't stack up.
Mr Reuss followed his comments by reiterating the sports car market in the US is shrinking – which makes a Camaro comeback less likely.
GM would have taken note of Mustang's 44,003 sales in the US in 2024, which were the worst in the nameplate's 60-year history – and saw it outsold by the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.
The Mustang lost its stranglehold as Australia's best-selling sports car in 2024, too, with supply issues seeing it demoted to third behind the BMW 2-Series and Subaru BRZ – although it has clawed its way back to the top in 2025.
The sixth-gen Camaro was sold as a rear-wheel drive coupe and convertible with a range of turbocharged four-cylinder and naturally aspirated V6 and V8 petrol engines, with a choice of automatic or manual transmissions.
In Australia and New Zealand, GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) imported a small number of V8 Camaros, but didn't benefit from a factory-backed right-hand drive production program like Mustang has.
This meant the Camaro was priced much higher than the Ford in Australia, which was a performance car bargain when it arrived in local showrooms in 2015 at $59,990 before on-road costs for a V8 manual coupe.
A six-speed manual V8 Camaro, converted to right-hand drive, was priced from $85,990 before on-road costs when it first arrived in Australia in 2018.
The Mustang's price has since shot up, with the current V8 manual coupe starting at $83,990 after range-wide $5000 price rises from July 1, 2025.
Ford Australia pointed to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) introduced here in 2025 as a factor in upping the Mustang's price.
MORE: A look back at the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ford Mustang's nemesis
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Chevrolet Camarosports car, arch-rival to the Ford Mustang, could make a comeback if the 'formula' is right, says General Motors president Mark Reuss.
The sixth-generation Camaro – which currently races in Australia's Supercars racing category against the Mustang – went out of production in 2023.
At the time, GM – which owns Chevrolet – assured devastated enthusiasts and fans "this is not the final chapter for the nameplate".
Now, GM President Mark Reuss has said chances of a seventh-generation Camaro will depend on whether GM could deliver a car worthy of the name.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"I think that formula of beauty, and a little bit of functionality and fun, all of that is important," the GM boss told The Detroit News.
"If we were getting back into Camaro, that piece of it is really important. I think that would be a great formula, and we have the ability to do that."
The formula would include the Camaro being "affordable and attainable" according to previous reports – with cheap muscle being key.
That also makes an electric successor to compete with the new-generation Dodge Charger – offered with both twin-turbo six-cylinder and EV powertrains in the US – even less likely for now, too.
Yet reports in early 2025 suggested GM management put paid to a successor, V8-powered or otherwise, as the business case didn't stack up.
Mr Reuss followed his comments by reiterating the sports car market in the US is shrinking – which makes a Camaro comeback less likely.
GM would have taken note of Mustang's 44,003 sales in the US in 2024, which were the worst in the nameplate's 60-year history – and saw it outsold by the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.
The Mustang lost its stranglehold as Australia's best-selling sports car in 2024, too, with supply issues seeing it demoted to third behind the BMW 2-Series and Subaru BRZ – although it has clawed its way back to the top in 2025.
The sixth-gen Camaro was sold as a rear-wheel drive coupe and convertible with a range of turbocharged four-cylinder and naturally aspirated V6 and V8 petrol engines, with a choice of automatic or manual transmissions.
In Australia and New Zealand, GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) imported a small number of V8 Camaros, but didn't benefit from a factory-backed right-hand drive production program like Mustang has.
This meant the Camaro was priced much higher than the Ford in Australia, which was a performance car bargain when it arrived in local showrooms in 2015 at $59,990 before on-road costs for a V8 manual coupe.
A six-speed manual V8 Camaro, converted to right-hand drive, was priced from $85,990 before on-road costs when it first arrived in Australia in 2018.
The Mustang's price has since shot up, with the current V8 manual coupe starting at $83,990 after range-wide $5000 price rises from July 1, 2025.
Ford Australia pointed to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) introduced here in 2025 as a factor in upping the Mustang's price.
MORE: A look back at the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ford Mustang's nemesis
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The Chevrolet Camarosports car, arch-rival to the Ford Mustang, could make a comeback if the 'formula' is right, says General Motors president Mark Reuss.
The sixth-generation Camaro – which currently races in Australia's Supercars racing category against the Mustang – went out of production in 2023.
At the time, GM – which owns Chevrolet – assured devastated enthusiasts and fans "this is not the final chapter for the nameplate".
Now, GM President Mark Reuss has said chances of a seventh-generation Camaro will depend on whether GM could deliver a car worthy of the name.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
"I think that formula of beauty, and a little bit of functionality and fun, all of that is important," the GM boss told The Detroit News.
"If we were getting back into Camaro, that piece of it is really important. I think that would be a great formula, and we have the ability to do that."
The formula would include the Camaro being "affordable and attainable" according to previous reports – with cheap muscle being key.
That also makes an electric successor to compete with the new-generation Dodge Charger – offered with both twin-turbo six-cylinder and EV powertrains in the US – even less likely for now, too.
Yet reports in early 2025 suggested GM management put paid to a successor, V8-powered or otherwise, as the business case didn't stack up.
Mr Reuss followed his comments by reiterating the sports car market in the US is shrinking – which makes a Camaro comeback less likely.
GM would have taken note of Mustang's 44,003 sales in the US in 2024, which were the worst in the nameplate's 60-year history – and saw it outsold by the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV.
The Mustang lost its stranglehold as Australia's best-selling sports car in 2024, too, with supply issues seeing it demoted to third behind the BMW 2-Series and Subaru BRZ – although it has clawed its way back to the top in 2025.
The sixth-gen Camaro was sold as a rear-wheel drive coupe and convertible with a range of turbocharged four-cylinder and naturally aspirated V6 and V8 petrol engines, with a choice of automatic or manual transmissions.
In Australia and New Zealand, GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) imported a small number of V8 Camaros, but didn't benefit from a factory-backed right-hand drive production program like Mustang has.
This meant the Camaro was priced much higher than the Ford in Australia, which was a performance car bargain when it arrived in local showrooms in 2015 at $59,990 before on-road costs for a V8 manual coupe.
A six-speed manual V8 Camaro, converted to right-hand drive, was priced from $85,990 before on-road costs when it first arrived in Australia in 2018.
The Mustang's price has since shot up, with the current V8 manual coupe starting at $83,990 after range-wide $5000 price rises from July 1, 2025.
Ford Australia pointed to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) introduced here in 2025 as a factor in upping the Mustang's price.
MORE: A look back at the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ford Mustang's nemesis
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Schumacher's son on ‘list' of drivers in the mix for F1's new Cadillac team
Mick Schumacher is one of several drivers on a shortlist being considered by Cadillac for the team's Formula One debut in 2026. Preparation is in full swing for the General Motors brand to field a team next year in a landmark moment for F1, expanding the grid to 22 cars. Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and current Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas are among the favourites to drive for Cadillac next season, but they are far from the only drivers in the mix. The American outfit, backed by 1978 F1 world champion Michael Andretti, has been linked with several other drivers. Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed to the High Performance podcast that Schumacher is one of the contenders to drive to the team. 'Yeah, we are talking to Mick,' Lowdon said. 'Yes, I know Valtteri really well,' he added about 10-time race winner Bottas. 'I think they (Schumacher and Bottas) have both proved a whole bunch of things,' Lowdon explained. 'Everyone wants to prove something else again. I never look at that as the biggest motivator. Our team is not there as a vehicle for someone to prove a point. 'Our team is there to provide a position on the pitch, if you like, for someone to prove what they can do for sure. But it's not a vehicle to kind of show the world to prove a point or whatever. 'Drivers are there to prove the best they possibly can for the team and they should be motivated for the team around them as well. I'm less keen on people who kind of want to prove a personal point.' Perez and Bottas loom as the most likely driver pairing for Cadillac, who are not expected to challenge for race wins in their first season. 'Yes, we are talking (to Perez),' confirmed Lowdon. 'Mick is great,' Lowdon told Sky Deutschland. 'He's a very nice guy, I like him a lot. I've got to know him better now. 'He's still young, but he already has Formula 1 experience. Of course, that was a while ago, but he's kept himself up to date. 'He is no stranger to the team. He knows where we stand. There are some positive things to say about Mick. 'He is clearly one of the drivers on the list. But, I should also say that the list is quite long.' Schumacher has support from an unlikely source in Guenther Steiner, who was critical of the German during their time together at Haas, where Steiner was team principal. 'I think Mick has a good chance,' the former F1 team boss told RTL. 'Cadillac needs a driver with experience in Formula 1 and there are currently not many drivers who don't have a job but have already driven Formula 1. 'When he was a test driver at Mercedes, he didn't race, but he learned a lot about a good big team. 'This knowledge of how a successful team works could help Cadillac. 'I don't think they'll take an American driver because the risk is just too great,' he added. 'The guys have no experience in Formula 1 and then it can quickly backfire. That doesn't help anyone. 'Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. All of them have experience in Formula 1. With Mick Schumacher, these are my four favourites.' 'Discussions are ongoing,' Schumacher told Brazil. 'The communication has been very positive so far. 'They've already hired a fantastic number of people,' he added. 'It's an honour to be part of it, to negotiate with them, and a great position to be in.' Schumacher, 26, served as Mercedes' reserve driver in 2024 but has branched out in the World Endurance Championship and raced in Le Mans this year. Lowdon also name checked other names including former F2 champion Felipe Drugovich and Red Bull academy driver Arvin Lindblad as some younger drivers in the mix if Cadillac picked a younger driver to develop. 'There are a bunch of young (drivers),' he said. 'There are some really good F2 drivers, Felipe Drugovich, Fred Vesti. The list kind of goes on. 'Arvid (Lindblad) is a really good guy. He has done a good job. He has Red Bull (as his backer). Indy Car driver Colton Herta is the main American name mentioned as a potential option if Cadillac wants a local to drive for the team 'In Colton's case, it's the superlicence that's the issue, but he can certainly drive a race car,' said Lowdon. Bottas' former Sauber teammate Guanyu Zhou, who is managed by Lowdon, is another name that's been floated. The F1 season continues this weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix as Oscar Piastri looks to claim his sixth win of the season.


The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
GM blames Trump's tariffs for billion-dollar loss, warns larger losses on the way
General Motors (GM) has announced a $A1.68 billion loss for the second quarter (April-June) of 2025, citing uncertainty brought on by United States (US) import tariffs. In its quarterly earnings call, the automaker pinned the entire $US1.1 billion loss down to the automotive import tariffs introduced from April 2, 2025, which extended to components in May before being combined with broader 'reciprocal' tariffs. In its presentation, GM told shareholders to, "Expect Q3 [July-September] impact to be higher than Q2 due to timing of indirect tariff costs." "We are positioning the business for a profitable, long-term future as we adapt to new trade and tax policies, and a rapidly evolving tech landscape," said GM CEO Mary Barra in a letter to shareholders. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The loss is 32 per cent down on the same period in 2024, with the company's revenue falling three per cent year-on-year. With 746,588 vehicles sold between April and June, GM was the best-selling automaker in the US in the first half of 2025 with 1.4 million deliveries across its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands. Ms Barra also highlighted the $US4 million ($A6.9 billion) investment in US manufacturing, bringing an additional 300,000 vehicle production capacity. "This will help us satisfy unmet customer demand, greatly reduce our tariff exposure, and capture upside opportunities as we launch new models," Ms Barra said. "The capacity begins coming online in just 18 months, after which we project building more than two million vehicles in the U.S. each year as we scale." This included a US$888 million (A$1.377 billion) investment in the development of a sixth-generation small-block V8 engine at the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York. "Overall, GM is well positioned to succeed in an ICE [internal combustion engine] market that now has a longer runway," Ms Barra said. The news comes as rival Stellantis, which owns US brands including Jeep, Ram Trucks, Dodge, Chrysler among others, posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first six months of 2025 after a profit of €5.6 billion (A$10 billion) over the same period last year. In April, US President Donald Trump introduced 'automotive' tariffs of 25 per cent on imported vehicles, controversially including Mexico and Canada – crucial parts of a broader North American supply chain – despite GM, Ford and Stellantis asking for more time to adjust to the tariffs. Mr Trump relented somewhat, providing a one-month reprieve on tariffs for vehicles built in Canada – such as the Chevrolet Silverado – and Mexico, where Stellantis makes vehicles such as the Jeep Wagoneer S. In May, a tariff on components was also applied, which was also layered with country-specific 'reciprocal' tariffs, meaning tariffs on materials – such as imported steel – would attract additional tariffs. Analysts predicted the average cost of a new vehicle could increase by as much as $US12,000 ($A18,250), while President Trump said the tariffs were intended to grow US manufacturing. "Ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers," President Trump told media in a press conference announcing the tariffs on April 2, 2025. GM says average transaction prices have increased to $US51,000 ($A77,570) and expects to raise prices between 0.5-1.0 per cent this year. MORE: Peugeot, Ram parent posts A$4.1 billion loss, forecasts more tariff trouble MORE: Reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners will have 'ripple effects' on Australia Content originally sourced from: General Motors (GM) has announced a $A1.68 billion loss for the second quarter (April-June) of 2025, citing uncertainty brought on by United States (US) import tariffs. In its quarterly earnings call, the automaker pinned the entire $US1.1 billion loss down to the automotive import tariffs introduced from April 2, 2025, which extended to components in May before being combined with broader 'reciprocal' tariffs. In its presentation, GM told shareholders to, "Expect Q3 [July-September] impact to be higher than Q2 due to timing of indirect tariff costs." "We are positioning the business for a profitable, long-term future as we adapt to new trade and tax policies, and a rapidly evolving tech landscape," said GM CEO Mary Barra in a letter to shareholders. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The loss is 32 per cent down on the same period in 2024, with the company's revenue falling three per cent year-on-year. With 746,588 vehicles sold between April and June, GM was the best-selling automaker in the US in the first half of 2025 with 1.4 million deliveries across its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands. Ms Barra also highlighted the $US4 million ($A6.9 billion) investment in US manufacturing, bringing an additional 300,000 vehicle production capacity. "This will help us satisfy unmet customer demand, greatly reduce our tariff exposure, and capture upside opportunities as we launch new models," Ms Barra said. "The capacity begins coming online in just 18 months, after which we project building more than two million vehicles in the U.S. each year as we scale." This included a US$888 million (A$1.377 billion) investment in the development of a sixth-generation small-block V8 engine at the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York. "Overall, GM is well positioned to succeed in an ICE [internal combustion engine] market that now has a longer runway," Ms Barra said. The news comes as rival Stellantis, which owns US brands including Jeep, Ram Trucks, Dodge, Chrysler among others, posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first six months of 2025 after a profit of €5.6 billion (A$10 billion) over the same period last year. In April, US President Donald Trump introduced 'automotive' tariffs of 25 per cent on imported vehicles, controversially including Mexico and Canada – crucial parts of a broader North American supply chain – despite GM, Ford and Stellantis asking for more time to adjust to the tariffs. Mr Trump relented somewhat, providing a one-month reprieve on tariffs for vehicles built in Canada – such as the Chevrolet Silverado – and Mexico, where Stellantis makes vehicles such as the Jeep Wagoneer S. In May, a tariff on components was also applied, which was also layered with country-specific 'reciprocal' tariffs, meaning tariffs on materials – such as imported steel – would attract additional tariffs. Analysts predicted the average cost of a new vehicle could increase by as much as $US12,000 ($A18,250), while President Trump said the tariffs were intended to grow US manufacturing. "Ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers," President Trump told media in a press conference announcing the tariffs on April 2, 2025. GM says average transaction prices have increased to $US51,000 ($A77,570) and expects to raise prices between 0.5-1.0 per cent this year. MORE: Peugeot, Ram parent posts A$4.1 billion loss, forecasts more tariff trouble MORE: Reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners will have 'ripple effects' on Australia Content originally sourced from: General Motors (GM) has announced a $A1.68 billion loss for the second quarter (April-June) of 2025, citing uncertainty brought on by United States (US) import tariffs. In its quarterly earnings call, the automaker pinned the entire $US1.1 billion loss down to the automotive import tariffs introduced from April 2, 2025, which extended to components in May before being combined with broader 'reciprocal' tariffs. In its presentation, GM told shareholders to, "Expect Q3 [July-September] impact to be higher than Q2 due to timing of indirect tariff costs." "We are positioning the business for a profitable, long-term future as we adapt to new trade and tax policies, and a rapidly evolving tech landscape," said GM CEO Mary Barra in a letter to shareholders. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The loss is 32 per cent down on the same period in 2024, with the company's revenue falling three per cent year-on-year. With 746,588 vehicles sold between April and June, GM was the best-selling automaker in the US in the first half of 2025 with 1.4 million deliveries across its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands. Ms Barra also highlighted the $US4 million ($A6.9 billion) investment in US manufacturing, bringing an additional 300,000 vehicle production capacity. "This will help us satisfy unmet customer demand, greatly reduce our tariff exposure, and capture upside opportunities as we launch new models," Ms Barra said. "The capacity begins coming online in just 18 months, after which we project building more than two million vehicles in the U.S. each year as we scale." This included a US$888 million (A$1.377 billion) investment in the development of a sixth-generation small-block V8 engine at the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York. "Overall, GM is well positioned to succeed in an ICE [internal combustion engine] market that now has a longer runway," Ms Barra said. The news comes as rival Stellantis, which owns US brands including Jeep, Ram Trucks, Dodge, Chrysler among others, posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first six months of 2025 after a profit of €5.6 billion (A$10 billion) over the same period last year. In April, US President Donald Trump introduced 'automotive' tariffs of 25 per cent on imported vehicles, controversially including Mexico and Canada – crucial parts of a broader North American supply chain – despite GM, Ford and Stellantis asking for more time to adjust to the tariffs. Mr Trump relented somewhat, providing a one-month reprieve on tariffs for vehicles built in Canada – such as the Chevrolet Silverado – and Mexico, where Stellantis makes vehicles such as the Jeep Wagoneer S. In May, a tariff on components was also applied, which was also layered with country-specific 'reciprocal' tariffs, meaning tariffs on materials – such as imported steel – would attract additional tariffs. Analysts predicted the average cost of a new vehicle could increase by as much as $US12,000 ($A18,250), while President Trump said the tariffs were intended to grow US manufacturing. "Ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers," President Trump told media in a press conference announcing the tariffs on April 2, 2025. GM says average transaction prices have increased to $US51,000 ($A77,570) and expects to raise prices between 0.5-1.0 per cent this year. MORE: Peugeot, Ram parent posts A$4.1 billion loss, forecasts more tariff trouble MORE: Reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners will have 'ripple effects' on Australia Content originally sourced from: General Motors (GM) has announced a $A1.68 billion loss for the second quarter (April-June) of 2025, citing uncertainty brought on by United States (US) import tariffs. In its quarterly earnings call, the automaker pinned the entire $US1.1 billion loss down to the automotive import tariffs introduced from April 2, 2025, which extended to components in May before being combined with broader 'reciprocal' tariffs. In its presentation, GM told shareholders to, "Expect Q3 [July-September] impact to be higher than Q2 due to timing of indirect tariff costs." "We are positioning the business for a profitable, long-term future as we adapt to new trade and tax policies, and a rapidly evolving tech landscape," said GM CEO Mary Barra in a letter to shareholders. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The loss is 32 per cent down on the same period in 2024, with the company's revenue falling three per cent year-on-year. With 746,588 vehicles sold between April and June, GM was the best-selling automaker in the US in the first half of 2025 with 1.4 million deliveries across its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands. Ms Barra also highlighted the $US4 million ($A6.9 billion) investment in US manufacturing, bringing an additional 300,000 vehicle production capacity. "This will help us satisfy unmet customer demand, greatly reduce our tariff exposure, and capture upside opportunities as we launch new models," Ms Barra said. "The capacity begins coming online in just 18 months, after which we project building more than two million vehicles in the U.S. each year as we scale." This included a US$888 million (A$1.377 billion) investment in the development of a sixth-generation small-block V8 engine at the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York. "Overall, GM is well positioned to succeed in an ICE [internal combustion engine] market that now has a longer runway," Ms Barra said. The news comes as rival Stellantis, which owns US brands including Jeep, Ram Trucks, Dodge, Chrysler among others, posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first six months of 2025 after a profit of €5.6 billion (A$10 billion) over the same period last year. In April, US President Donald Trump introduced 'automotive' tariffs of 25 per cent on imported vehicles, controversially including Mexico and Canada – crucial parts of a broader North American supply chain – despite GM, Ford and Stellantis asking for more time to adjust to the tariffs. Mr Trump relented somewhat, providing a one-month reprieve on tariffs for vehicles built in Canada – such as the Chevrolet Silverado – and Mexico, where Stellantis makes vehicles such as the Jeep Wagoneer S. In May, a tariff on components was also applied, which was also layered with country-specific 'reciprocal' tariffs, meaning tariffs on materials – such as imported steel – would attract additional tariffs. Analysts predicted the average cost of a new vehicle could increase by as much as $US12,000 ($A18,250), while President Trump said the tariffs were intended to grow US manufacturing. "Ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers," President Trump told media in a press conference announcing the tariffs on April 2, 2025. GM says average transaction prices have increased to $US51,000 ($A77,570) and expects to raise prices between 0.5-1.0 per cent this year. MORE: Peugeot, Ram parent posts A$4.1 billion loss, forecasts more tariff trouble MORE: Reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners will have 'ripple effects' on Australia Content originally sourced from:

Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trump sparks a $6.4 billion wipeout for a US icon
GM says it believes it can eventually offset about a third of the $US4 billion to $US5 billion cost of the tariffs this year by cutting costs and shifting some production to the US. That suggests that the ongoing cost of the tariffs in the near term will be more than $US3.3 billion a year, although GM executives are hopeful that trade deals with South Korea, Mexico and Canada – where most of its imported cars are sourced – may reduce that cost. As this quarterly earnings season in the US continues, the commentaries from trade-exposed US companies will be pored over for references to the tariffs and how the companies are responding to them. Last week's June inflation data showed that in sectors directly exposed to tariffs – sectors like fresh fruit and vegetables, household appliances, furniture, toys, clothing and sporting goods – prices are rising. The cost of the tariffs in those sectors is being passed onto customers and is impacting the inflation rate. There's been a lot of inventory loading occurring in the US to get in ahead of the tariffs, so their impact on the inflation rate and/or companies' profits should progressively increase as those pre-tariff stocks run down. Loading There are some companies, of course, who benefit from the protection provided by tariffs, which shield them to some degree from competition from imports and where the increased cost of imports provides cover for domestic firms to raise their own prices. The US steel industry, with aluminium, was one of the earliest beneficiaries of Trump's tariffs. Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports in February and then doubled the rate, to 50 per cent, last month. About 23 per cent of the steel supply in the US is imported, with the rest produced domestically by steelmakers that are regarded as the world's most expensive producers. Their response to Trump's tariffs has, predictably, been opportunistic. They've raised their prices, which are up about 16 per cent this year. That's history repeating. In 2018, during Trump's initial trade war with China, he imposed a 25 per cent tariff on steel imports and the US steelmakers responded by lifting their prices by about 10 per cent, which added about $US2.5 billion to their profits. The 2018 experience shows the companies also improved their capacity utilisation and added investment and jobs – but the impact was relatively short-lived and the costs in jobs and lost earnings to steel-consuming industries were multiples of the benefits created for the steel producers. Not only is the duty on steel today double what it was in 2018, but it applies more broadly, not just to imported steel, but imports of steel 'derivatives,' or products where steel is a major component. The impact on the tariff on steel – and similar tariffs on aluminium and copper – will percolate through the US manufacturing sector, with a particular impact on an auto industry that is also subject to its own tariffs. If Trump follows through with his threatened 50 per cent tariff on all imports from Brazil (unless Brazilian authorities drops their prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro for an alleged attempted coup), the tariffs' impact on the cost of steel would be exacerbated. Brazil is a major supplier of raw materials to the sector. At some point, probably not too far into the distant future, GM and other US manufacturers will be overwhelmed by the cost increases flowing from the barrage of tariffs on auto and auto part imports and on their raw materials and unable to absorb them without passing on a substantial proportion of them to customers. That is when their full effects on the inflation rate will start to show up. The 'Trump effect' on the auto industry isn't confined to tariffs. His aversion to electric vehicles and climate-related initiatives and his assault on the Biden's administration's subsidies and incentives for carbon emission reductions and green energy includes the withdrawal of subsidies for EV purchases and tax credits for emissions reductions. That will hit Tesla, which has relied on the sale of the regulatory credits for its profitability – it would be loss-making without them – hardest. While Trump keeps claiming that the US is collecting massive amounts of tariff revenue from other countries' exporters, the GM experience underscores what almost everyone else has always understood. It might, in the near term, help other US EV manufacturers, even GM – the second-largest US domestic manufacturer of EVs – which have had to buy the credits to offset the emissions from their larger internal combustion vehicle production. What it and, thanks to tariff and non-tariff barriers, the near-total absence of competition from imported EVs will do, however, is drive up the cost of domestically produced EVs, reduce their sales volumes and undermine the scale efficiencies that might lead to EV profitability. Loading GM more than doubled its sales of EVs in the June quarter relative to the same quarter last year. In the near term reduced EV sales and losses might help blunt the effect of Trump's tariffs. In the longer term his policies will leave the GM and the US even further behind the global shift towards EVs and the electrification of energy and transport. Supposedly, the tariffs and the unwinding of Biden's green energy initiatives are going to help make America great again... .