Automakers Still Dissatisfied, Lobbying Continues

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky


Automakers are growing concerned about the future now that it looks like people have finally reached their breaking point in regard to elevated vehicle pricing. While the industry is citing inflation in the general sense, the truth of the matter is that companies’ own inability to manufacture vehicles and parts at anything approaching a normal pace resulted in price increases that vastly outpaced the devaluation of your preferred currency. This was made far worse by dealerships affixing their own markups to just about every model that compares favorably to walking. 



While the industry has treated the last couple of years as a time of crisis, the reality is that most of the big companies have actually become more profitable in the wake of the pandemic response that helped create our present economic situation. But that hasn’t kept the industry from complaining, sending lobbyists to Washington D.C. to argue for better terms in regard to the revised EV tax credit scheme, or bemoaning consumers that are quite literally becoming too poor to purchase a new automobile. And this is all happening as some of the biggest brands are plotting (or in the midst of) widespread layoffs deemed necessary for the transition to all-electric vehicles. 


At this point, it’s not much of a secret that EVs require less manpower to manufacture. Battery production is largely outsourced to foreign suppliers, leaving vehicle manufacturers with a unique opportunity to streamline their workforce as they broaden their per-vehicle margins. However, according to Reuters, industry players are also getting a little worried that mainstream brands won’t receive sufficient attention in the coming years. Carmakers are starting to report shrinking demand in Europe and North America, citing analysts that now believe consumers have begun to prioritize the essentials — which have also gone up in price dramatically since 2020. 


The good news is that the hellacious waiting times seen on new vehicles are starting to come down. But production has remained stifled, whether that’s due to ongoing supply-chain issues or individual automakers simply thinking they can perform better running extra lean. Ideally, they’d like to continue passing on rising costs to customers while producing the bare minimum. It’s just not entirely realistic when consumers are already at their breaking point and central banking institutions remain convinced that inflation will continue to be an issue for the rest of 2022 and perhaps longer. 


"The weight of buying a car on the household budget is something we will come up against," Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares said last month. "There is a limit to price hikes.”


Some U.S. automakers have even begun considering bringing back discounts and incentives which were scrapped during the pandemic as supply constraints became a major issue. 


Meanwhile, data from online car dealerships and auction platforms showed a slowdown in demand since March this year, Philip Nothard, insights director for Cox Automotive’s European division, explained. 


"Consumers are currently very cautious," he said.


A recent survey by the German Ifo Institute showed German carmakers' order backlogs are shrinking and price expectations pitching downward due to concerns about ongoing gas shortages and continued weakness in the Chinese economy where their vehicles are particularly popular. 


Considering just how much the wealth gap has widened over the last few years, it seems as though most mainstream carmakers would benefit from producing more economy-focused vehicles that cater to cash-strapped consumers. However, those haven’t been super profitable in the past and the industry seems wholly preoccupied with focusing on the transition to EVs, seemingly oblivious to the fact that most of the upcoming electric models will sticker well above the average transaction rate of internal combustion vehicles. 


Thus far, the solution has been to ask the government to make taxpayers shoulder the burden. In the United States, automakers have made a run on Congress to ask Democrats to sweeten their proposed spending bill even further. Despite a surprise deal being reached among the party that could result in a dramatic expansion of the existing $7,500 EV tax credit, manufacturers are still upset about content restrictions and pricing caps. 


Industry lobbyists and politicians with deep ties to the automotive sector have started criticizing inclusions that would render EVs made with any battery components manufactured by China and other “foreign entities of concern” ineligible to receive the credit after 2023. 


“Unfortunately, after they are implemented, at this point it looks like companies won’t be able to use them in the short run,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) told Bloomberg in an interview.


Numerous American companies (e.g. Ford, GM, Stellantis) and even a few Asian brands (e.g. Toyota) have been pressuring Congress for more time to comply. However, those against the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” (formerly Build Back Better) have repeatedly stated that they’re concerned that it would effectively subsidize the continued production of Chinese-made batteries and further exacerbate regional inflation. 


Other automakers are lobbying to extend the transition time before new limits on vehicle pricing and consumer income come into play. The Senate spending scheme would cap the credit to an income level of $150,000 for a single filing taxpayer and $300,000 for joint filers for new vehicles. It also includes a cap on the suggested retail price of eligible vehicles of $55,000 for new cars and $80,000 for pickups and SUVs. While this doesn’t exactly limit credits to low-income households, it does mean there are plenty of incoming models that won’t be eligible. Some companies, like Rivian, would prefer to retain the old quota-based system that allowed all automakers to benefit from the credit until they’ve sold 200,000 EVs. Rivian hasn’t even delivered 10,000 cars yet and has a long way to go before it reaches the cap. But, if the updated proposals are passed, it and a few other brands would be required to adhere to protocols that would place them at a sudden disadvantage. 


“If the legislation is passed as drafted it pulls the rug out — it cuts Rivian out entirely,” said James Chen, vice president of public policy for Rivian. “Congress is throwing up a big stop sign to American-made electric trucks and SUVs.”


Companies that have exhausted their EV quota already, like General Motors, obviously feel quite differently. Though Tesla, which hit its production cap before anyone and also seems to benefit under the revised plan more than most, has been pretty adamant that it wants the old system to run its course.


Keep in mind that this entire scheme originated over a decade ago as a temporary way to assist automakers that were going out on a limb to manufacture all-electric vehicles in a way that didn’t favor anybody. Now, it seems to be developing into an endless bureaucratic nightmare with the industry pressuring the government for more as the penalties for not building EVs stiffens the world over. I’d even be sympathetic to their presumed plight if the involved companies actually seemed worse for the wear. But car companies don’t appear to be suffering all that badly at present and have remained laser-focused on never-ending growth. Revenues have been improving, investments continue to rise, and there’s a giant pile of money waiting beneath them if they fall and plenty more being set aside even if they don’t. 


[Image: Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock]


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Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Cprescott Cprescott on Aug 04, 2022

    The automakers should go pound sand - and GM has no grounds to demand more money from the taxpayers - they have over $20 billion of taxpayer cash they haven't spent that could used to offset the cost of their cars.

    • EBFlex EBFlex on Aug 04, 2022

      But you can’t blame the automakers. They are being forced to make these awful EVs that nobody wants and they lose money on. So rather than sit on these piles of garbage they go back to government and say “hey, since you provided us money to build these heaps, can you give the consumer a “tax break” so we can keep our prices up and move these complete piles of garbage?”



  • JMII JMII on Aug 09, 2022

    "Some U.S. automakers have even begun considering bringing back discounts and incentives which were scrapped during the pandemic as supply constraints became a major issue."


    If sales drop off then this is the cure. Economics 101. Its about time people realized that paying over MSRP is stupid. I have held off purchasing a new vehicle for almost a full year now due to current conditions.


    My wife would love to have an EV but at current prices its just not happening. However the same is true for ICE vehicles. Vehicle prices are just too high overall right now and our current fleet continues to function perfectly so we see no reason to upgrade. I could careless what the Jone's down the street do or think.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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