agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

GM and Ford CEOs on Heightened Watch for Signs of a Recession

General Motors and Ford Motor Co. CEOs say they are watching for signs of a U.S. recession, despite demand for autos being strong.

June 16, 2022
GM and Ford CEOs on Heightened Watch for Signs of a Recession

Soaring material costs for electric batteries wiped out expected profits on Ford's electric Mustang Mach-E.

Credit:

Ford

2 min to read


 

General Motors and Ford Motor Co. CEOs say they are watching for signs of a U.S. recession, despite demand for autos being strong.

Ford CFO John Lawler told attendees at a Deutsche Bank conference that an economic downturn is a real possibility and that the company is assessing the impacts of inflation and high gasoline prices on the economy. Interest rates may also factor in, as the Federal Reserve approved a 0.75 percentage point rate increase.

Ad Loading...

Higher commodity costs are also taking a toll on profitability in some areas, reported Lawler. Soaring material costs for electric batteries, for instance, wiped out the profit the automaker expected on its electric Mustang Mach-E.

Lawler also reported Ford Credit, the company’s financing arm, has seen an uptick in auto loan delinquencies. Ford is monitoring the situation closely, he said.

“We’re looking for every indication and every data point we can to get a read on where the consumer is, where they’re headed,” he said.

GM Finance Chief Paul Jacobson says the company plans to maintain flexibility when it comes to raising EV prices, as Ford has already done for the Mustang Mach-E.

“We don’t want to end up in a situation where a customer has ordered a vehicle two, three years out, and we don’t know where inflation is going,” he said.

Ad Loading...

Still, both CEOs report market dynamics remains automakers’ favor due to pent-up demand for vehicles and low vehicle inventory. However, inflated fuel costs and high inflation could restrain these purchases.

Both executives report they are modeling the outcomes of different recessionary scenarios. GM has increased its scrutiny into hiring decisions and prioritizing its spending on longer-term initiatives, such as in electric vehicles.

Both CEOs said the companies are better-positioned to weather a downturn than in the past. The automakers offer fewer profit-damaging discounts and have less unsold inventory.

“It’s a completely different environment heading into what could be a potential recession than anything I’ve seen in the past,” Lawler said.

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Blue and white RV parked on beach facing the ocean.
Industryby Lauren LawrenceSeptember 3, 2026

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint

Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.

Read More →
Photo of two men and one woman on a discussion panel
Industryby Hannah MitchellSeptember 1, 2026

Agent Acumen

An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.

Read More →
Gloved hand holding two wrenches next to “Turn Overdue into Opportunity” Graphic
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 27, 2026

Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity

As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Mitsubishi shadow line-up
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 25, 2026

Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan

The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.

Read More →
Photo of a laptop, cellphone and eyeglasses on a desk next to an office window
IndustryAugust 24, 2026

Selling to Grow

The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.

Read More →
Mechanic holding a vehicle diagnostic device while standing above an open car hood
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 24, 2026

Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High

Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
outside of car dealership with cars parked in front
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 20, 2026

Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop

Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.

Read More →
Cars from the rear on a Shanghai freeway
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 19, 2026

China as Pacesetter

Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.

Read More →
Orange BMW car on empty road.
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 14, 2026

BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn

The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Six men standing for photo outside of car dealership
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 13, 2026

South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes

Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.

Read More →
Ad Loading...