zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
How The UAW Strike Could Impact The Car Market
How The UAW Strike Could Impact The Car Market-April 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:15

Image for article titled How The UAW Strike Could Impact The Car Market

For the first time ever, . The core of the labor dispute is that the Depending on how long the strike goes on, consumers could face some challenges when it comes to buying certain models.

Just when the car market was finally making a turn back to normal after a few years of low inventory and high prices, this strike is naturally going to have a negative impact on dealer supply. And when supply goes down, prices usually come up.

Currently, three major plants are on strike: Stellantis’ Toledo Assembly Complex, which makes the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator; Ford’s Wayne plant, which builds Broncos and Rangers; and GM’s Wentzville, Missouri plant, which builds the Chevy Colorado, Chevy Express, GMC Canyon, and GMC Savana.

However, the UAW says that other plants may join the strike depending on how the negotiations progress.

Even though the selected plants are no longer operating, it doesn’t automatically mean those cars are going to be subject to price increases. What it really comes down to is the available supply at dealerships.

According to the car shopping app , the following models from the Big Three have the lowest supply:

Image for article titled How The UAW Strike Could Impact The Car Market

The Ford Maverick is made in Mexico, so the strike won’t impact the already difficult inventory situation, but if more domestic plants like the GM Arlington factory in Texas get added to the shutdown, GM trucks and SUVs are likely to feel a bit hit.

Using a nationwide search on Cars.com, there are about 3,600 units of new Tahoes and about 1,800 Yukons. There are only about 1,500 Suburbans and approximately 2,000 Yukon XLs. GMC Canyon inventory is about 1,300 units while the Chevrolet Colorado has about 4,400 units listed for sale. Trax inventory doesn’t seem too bad with almost 6,000 units listed, but most of these listings have “stock photos”

On the other hand, Jeep has about 30,000 new Wranglers and about 18,000 Gladiators listed for sale, so unless you are looking for a special-order Jeep, your chances are

Speaking of factory orders, while almost every domestic model can be built to order, buyers should obviously expect delays in both production and delivery if their selected model is being made at one of the factories on strike.

Just as in previous scenarios where vehicle inventory shrinks and the pricing power shifts in favor of the dealers,

Tom McParland is a contributing writer for Jalopnik and runs AutomatchConsulting.com. He takes the hassle out of buying or leasing a car. Got a car buying question? Send it to [email protected]

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Auto Industry Could Lose $22 Billion If Feds Raise Interest Rates
Auto Industry Could Lose $22 Billion If Feds Raise Interest Rates
COVID-19 messed up pretty much everything, and the auto industry was no exception. There have been , and now, with the near certain raising of interest rates by the Federal Reserve, a perfect storm is gathering to make already expensive cars more unaffordable. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates...
Apr 25, 2025
Here's Why That $25,000 Tesla Isn't Coming
Here's Why That $25,000 Tesla Isn't Coming
Earlier this week, Tesla released its earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2021. The report showed , but it came with the news of delays to the Cybertruck, Roadster, and an . Elon Musk’s reason for the delay was that the company had “” but tells a different...
Apr 25, 2025
At $5,000, Would You Fly Like An Eagle In This 1982 AMC SX4 Coupe?
At $5,000, Would You Fly Like An Eagle In This 1982 AMC SX4 Coupe?
With so many manufacturers besmirching the coupe name by applying it to four doors, it’s good to see a REAL coupe in the form of today’s AMC. Let’s find out what this crazy 4X4 two-door should rightfully cost. Two issues loomed over yesterday’s . One was a big dent...
Apr 25, 2025
Ford Bronco Raptor Markups Are Coming, Because Of Course They Are
Ford Bronco Raptor Markups Are Coming, Because Of Course They Are
It’s pretty messed up that we have to come to expect things like this, but we all know markups on the are coming. The hardcore version of the Bronco hasn’t even rolled down the production line yet, but as reports, dealers are already estimating how much they’re going to...
Apr 25, 2025
This Might Be The 2023 Nissan Z's Final Options List (Update: Confirmed By Nissan)
This Might Be The 2023 Nissan Z's Final Options List (Update: Confirmed By Nissan)
Ah, car forums. Home to the highs and lows of automotive culture, from the best advice on aftermarket parts to the entirely indistinguishable, absolute worst advice on aftermarket parts. Once in a while, though, something interesting sneaks its way onto those bastions of crowd-sourced car enthusiasm — say, for...
Apr 25, 2025
Buying A Brand New Car Is A Terrible Idea, But What If You Helped Engineer That Car?
Buying A Brand New Car Is A Terrible Idea, But What If You Helped Engineer That Car?
I keep flip-flopping on this. I’ve never bought a new car. Especially as someone with wrenching skills, I just find it financially foolish. And yet, because I was on the , part of me wants to order a brand spankin’ new one. Stick shift, base model, green with tan...
Apr 25, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved