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美系车企在关税与市场夹缝中求变

2025-04-06

  无论特朗普的“解放日”全球征税行动在2025年会有怎样的变化,美国汽车产业将始终笼罩在关税战和地域政治博弈的阴云之下难以自拔。其实在3月26日,美国总统特朗普宣布向所有进口到美国的汽车加征25%关税的当日,美国三大传统汽车生产厂商福特、通用和斯特兰蒂斯的股价就已经给出了答案,当天它们分别下跌了4%、4%和2%。随着美国贸易政策和产业政策发生巨变,以及埃隆马斯克在政坛上的骚操作,包括特斯拉在内的美国汽车企业,正在全球电动汽车市场需求起伏和汽车制造业供应链不确定的风暴中摇摆颠簸,未来前景可谓是雾失楼台,月迷津渡。而美系车企的全球战略布局也是如履薄冰,如临深渊。


胜负未定 美系车企在关税与市场夹缝中求变


  自上世纪三十年代以来,在全球汽车产业的版图中,美国汽车企业一直占据着举足轻重的地位。然而,随着全球政治经济格局的剧变,以及新能源汽车技术的迅猛发展,美国车企正面临着前所未有的机遇与挑战。特朗普扬言取消《削减通胀法案》、对邻国加拿大和墨西哥征收高额关税,4月2日起对全球主要贸易伙伴全面加征关税带来了足够的混乱和减利,加上比亚迪等中国车企的技术崛起和市场优势,美国汽车企业面前摆着诸多必须回答,又极难回答的现实问题。


  《削减通胀法案》存废成为电动车业务“生死劫”


  《削减通胀法案》(Inflation Reduction Act, IRA)自2022年生效以来,已成为美国电动车产业发展的重要推手。该法案通过税收抵免、补贴等方式,鼓励消费者购买电动车,同时也为车企提供了研发和生产电动车的资金支持。然而,特朗普近期扬言取消该法案,这一表态无疑为美国电动车产业的未来蒙上了一层阴影。

  对于通用、福特、斯特兰蒂斯以及特斯拉等美国车企而言,IRA的取消将直接冲击其电动车业务的盈利能力。以通用为例,其计划到2025年推出30款电动车型,并实现电动车业务的盈利。IRA的税收抵免政策是其实现这一目标的重要保障。若法案取消,通用将面临成本上升、销量下滑的双重压力。福特的情况同样不容乐观,其F-150 Lightning等电动车型的市场竞争力将因补贴取消而大打折扣。


焕新Model Y在上海超级工厂量产(来源:特斯拉官方微博)

焕新Model Y在上海超级工厂量产(来源:特斯拉官方微博)


  特斯拉作为美国电动车市场的领军者,虽然凭借其品牌和技术优势在市场中占据主导地位,但IRA的取消仍将对其销量产生一定影响。特别是在Model 3和Model Y(配置|询价)等中低端车型的销售上,税收抵免的取消可能导致部分消费者转向其他品牌。由于特斯拉的掌门人马斯克在特朗普政府担任要职,且利用手中掌控的X平台主导舆论,其个人性格和行为中的缺陷被极限放大,直接或间接地影响到特斯拉在全球,特别是在西方主要市场的销售。而关税对供应链的破坏也在侵蚀着特斯拉的生产成本和市场利润。

  马斯克天马行空,“志向高远”的言行不仅无益于特斯拉汽车的全球销售,反而会束缚住其与比亚迪等主要中国竞争对手的反击力度,由于马斯克商业版图战线过多过长,它的机器人项目、XAI工程、星链和XSpace等业务单元极大摊薄了特斯拉的研发竞争力。最近Cybertruck等产品又遭遇产品质量问题和大面积召回事件的影响,可谓雪上加霜。马斯克本人却仍忙于DOGE(政府效率部)的外行工作,无暇或者说无心处理特斯拉的业务,任由其股价和市场份额不断下滑。在所有美国车企中,特斯拉成为最不靠谱的投资对象,过于快速的发展逐渐变成了双刃剑,也是特斯拉成也萧何,败也萧何的关键因素。


  高额关税带来供应链断裂与成本上升的双重打击


  特朗普政府曾多次威胁对加拿大和墨西哥征收高额关税,这一政策在经历了多次赦免和回归之后,仍存在变化。但只要付诸实施,必将对美国汽车企业的供应链造成严重破坏,因为加拿大和墨西哥是美国汽车产业的重要合作伙伴,两国不仅为美国车企提供了大量的零部件,还是其重要的生产基地。


胜负未定 美系车企在关税与市场夹缝中求变


  以福特为例,其在墨西哥的工厂每年生产数十万辆汽车,并出口至美国市场。若对墨西哥征收高额关税,福特的制造成本将大幅上升,进而影响其产品的市场竞争力。通用和斯特兰蒂斯同样依赖墨西哥的供应链,高额关税将导致其生产成本增加,最终转嫁给消费者。

  此外,供应链的中断还将影响美国车企的生产效率。加拿大和墨西哥的零部件供应若因关税问题而受阻,美国车企将面临生产线停工、交付延迟等问题,进而影响其市场份额和品牌声誉。对所谓进口委内瑞拉石油的国家实施的二级关税,令美国车企更加无所适从,可以说,之前在全球化时代被精确校准的汽车工业供应链,将在从原材料到总成零部件的漫长链条中出现数不清的缺口和断裂点,AVC平均边际成本难以估算,更无法重新设置,从EBIT(息税前收入)到EBITDA(息税及折旧与摊销前收入),所有的会计算法都不能准确表述利润流失的真实情况。但它们都会提醒车企:“危险”“危险”!


  比亚迪的崛起与特斯拉塌陷的“技术围城”


  在中国新能源汽车市场,比亚迪的崛起已成为不可忽视的现象。近期,比亚迪推出的“天神之眼”辅助驾驶系统和超级快充技术,不仅在国内市场引发热议,也对特斯拉构成了直接威胁。


图片来源:比亚迪官方微博

图片来源:比亚迪官方微博


  “天神之眼”辅助驾驶系统通过高精度地图和人工智能技术,实现了更高级别的自动驾驶功能。与特斯拉的Autopilot系统相比,“天神之眼”在复杂路况下的表现将更为出色。此外,比亚迪的超级快充技术能够在短时间内为电动车充满电,极大提升了用户的充电体验。据报道,目前特斯拉、BMW和奔驰,是全球最接近比亚迪充电技术标定续航水平的整车厂商,而它们最佳的充电里程都只有比亚迪的一半。宁德时代的最新电池处在二者之间,续航能力大约领先特斯拉30%。2025年这两项技术的免费推广,将进一步增强比亚迪的市场竞争力。

  面对比亚迪的技术攻势,业界首先想到的就是特斯拉将如何应对?毕竟在世界电动汽车这盘趋势性的大棋局中,比亚迪和特斯拉是两个最主要的对手。日前,比亚迪副总裁李柯在接受英国《金融时报》采访时表示“比亚迪愿与特斯拉一道,共同对抗燃油车,共同开启世界电动汽车的新纪元。”但一个骨感的事实是,特斯拉与比亚迪并未比肩,比亚迪甚至已经领先特斯拉一个身位,其免费的“天神之眼”,和优于特斯拉续航能力近50%的全新超级快充技术,几乎可以吊打特斯拉。这两步棋堪称二者对弈中的“手筯”。

  当然,特斯拉也不会坐以待毙。首先,特斯拉可能会加速其FSD全自动驾驶技术的研发和AUTOTAXI的商业化推广,以保持技术领先优势。其次,特斯拉最大的短期操作行为应该是通过FSD的降价甚至免费,或推出更具性价比的车型,比如用低于20万的MODEL 1来应对比亚迪的市场冲击。此外,特斯拉还可能加大在中国市场的本土化研发的投入,以近身肉搏的方式拿回在中国汽车市场的份额,同时在这个主战场提升其品牌影响力和用户忠诚度。当然,特斯拉在中国市场的对手不只比亚迪,同样以视觉为主、算法为辅布局ADAS的小米即将推出的YU7,直接瞄准了MODEL Y,雷军也是马斯克不可小觑的对手。

  无论胜负手的落子如何演进,美国汽车企业无疑正站在历史的十字路口。政策的变动、供应链的挑战以及技术竞争的加剧,都为其未来发展带来了不确定性。然而,机遇往往与挑战并存。美国车企若能灵活应对政策变化、优化供应链管理、加速技术创新,仍有望在全球汽车产业的变革中占据一席之地。一百年前,亨利福特与威廉杜兰特的英雄大时代早已一去不返,AI与电动化勾勒出的世界汽车版图将主导未来数十年的行业发展轨迹。美国汽车企业能做的就是保持与中国巨头的追赶速度,并力争并驾齐驱。而美国汽车企业的命运,将在这场全球化的博弈中书写新的篇章,只是我们无法判断新的章节是怎样的结局,也许柳暗花明与万劫不复是五五开吧。


No matter how Trump's "Liberation Day" global tax campaign changes in 2025, the US automotive industry will always be shrouded in the shadow of tariff wars and regional political games, unable to extricate itself. In fact, on March 26th, when US President Trump announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on all imported cars to the United States, the stock prices of the three major traditional car manufacturers in the United States, Ford, General Motors, and Trantis, had already given the answer. They fell by 4%, 4%, and 2% respectively on that day. With the dramatic changes in US trade and industrial policies, as well as Elon Musk's political maneuvering, American car companies including Tesla are swaying and shaking in the storm of fluctuating demand in the global electric vehicle market and uncertain supply chains in the automotive manufacturing industry. The future prospects are uncertain and uncertain. And the global strategic layout of American car companies is also like walking on thin ice, like facing an abyss.

The outcome is uncertain, and American car companies are seeking changes in the gap between tariffs and the market

Since the 1930s, American automobile companies have held a pivotal position in the global automotive industry. However, with the dramatic changes in the global political and economic landscape, as well as the rapid development of new energy vehicle technology, American car companies are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Trump's threat to cancel the Inflation Reduction Act, impose high tariffs on neighboring countries Canada and Mexico, and impose comprehensive tariffs on major global trading partners starting from April 2 has brought enough chaos and reduced profits. Coupled with the technological rise and market advantages of Chinese car companies such as BYD, American car companies face many real questions that must be answered and are extremely difficult to answer.

The retention or abolition of the 'Inflation Reduction Act' has become a 'life and death disaster' for the electric vehicle business

Since its implementation in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has become an important driving force for the development of the US electric vehicle industry. The bill encourages consumers to purchase electric vehicles through tax credits, subsidies, and other means, while also providing financial support for car companies to develop and produce electric vehicles. However, Trump's recent threat to cancel the bill undoubtedly casts a shadow over the future of the US electric vehicle industry.

For American car companies such as General Motors, Ford, Trantis, and Tesla, the cancellation of the IRA will directly impact the profitability of their electric vehicle business. Taking General Motors as an example, it plans to launch 30 electric vehicle models by 2025 and achieve profitability in its electric vehicle business. The tax credit policy of IRA is an important guarantee for achieving this goal. If the bill is cancelled, General Motors will face dual pressures of rising costs and declining sales. Ford's situation is also not optimistic, as the market competitiveness of its F-150 Lightning and other electric vehicle models will be greatly reduced due to the cancellation of subsidies.
The Huanxin Model Y is in mass production at the Shanghai Gigafactory (source: Tesla official Weibo)

As a leader in the US electric vehicle market, Tesla dominates the market with its brand and technological advantages, but the cancellation of IRA will still have a certain impact on its sales. Especially in the sales of mid to low end models such as Model 3 and Model Y (configuration | inquiry), the cancellation of tax credits may lead some consumers to turn to other brands. Due to Tesla's leader Elon Musk holding important positions in the Trump administration and using his control of the X platform to dominate public opinion, his personal character and behavior flaws have been magnified to the extreme, directly or indirectly affecting Tesla's global sales, especially in major Western markets. The damage of tariffs to the supply chain is also eroding Tesla's production costs and market profits.

Musk's wild and ambitious words and actions not only do not benefit Tesla's global sales, but also constrain its counterattack against major Chinese competitors such as BYD. Due to Musk's extensive business landscape, his robot projects, XAI engineering, Starlink, and XSpace business units greatly dilute Tesla's research and development competitiveness. Recently, Cybertruck and other products have been affected by product quality issues and large-scale recalls, adding insult to injury. However, Musk himself is still busy with the amateur work of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), and has no time or heart to handle Tesla's business, allowing its stock price and market share to continue to decline. Among all American car companies, Tesla has become the most unreliable investment target, and its rapid development has gradually become a double-edged sword, which is also a key factor in Tesla's success and failure.

The dual impact of high tariffs on supply chain disruptions and rising costs

The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to impose high tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and this policy still remains unchanged after multiple pardons and returns. But as long as it is implemented, it will inevitably cause serious damage to the supply chain of American car companies, because Canada and Mexico are important partners of the American car industry, not only providing a large number of components for American car companies, but also their important production bases.
The outcome is uncertain, and American car companies are seeking changes in the gap between tariffs and the market

Taking Ford as an example, its factory in Mexico produces hundreds of thousands of cars annually and exports them to the US market. If high tariffs are imposed on Mexico, Ford's manufacturing costs will significantly increase, thereby affecting the market competitiveness of its products. Both General Motors and Trantis rely on Mexico's supply chain, and high tariffs will lead to increased production costs, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers.

In addition, supply chain disruptions will also affect the production efficiency of American car companies. If the supply of components from Canada and Mexico is hindered due to tariff issues, American car companies will face production line shutdowns, delivery delays, and other problems, which will in turn affect their market share and brand reputation. The implementation of secondary tariffs on countries that import Venezuelan oil has left American car companies even more at a loss. It can be said that the automotive industry supply chain, which was precisely calibrated in the era of globalization, will have countless gaps and break points in the long chain from raw materials to assembly components. The average marginal cost of AVC is difficult to estimate and cannot be reset. From EBIT (pre tax income) to EBITDA (pre interest, tax, depreciation and amortization income), all accounting algorithms cannot accurately describe the true situation of profit loss. But they will all remind car companies: 'Danger' and 'Danger'!

BYD's Rise and Tesla's Collapse in the 'Technological Siege'

In the Chinese new energy vehicle market, BYD's rise has become an undeniable phenomenon. Recently, BYD's "Eye of the Sky" assisted driving system and super fast charging technology have not only sparked discussions in the domestic market, but also posed a direct threat to Tesla.
Image source: BYD official Weibo Image source: BYD official Weibo

The "Eye of Heaven" assisted driving system achieves higher-level autonomous driving functions through high-precision maps and artificial intelligence technology. Compared to Tesla's Autopilot system, the "Eye of the Gods" will perform better in complex road conditions. In addition, BYD's super fast charging technology can fully charge electric vehicles in a short period of time, greatly enhancing the charging experience for users. According to reports, Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes Benz are currently the vehicle manufacturers in the world that are closest to BYD's charging technology calibration range level, and their best charging range is only half of BYD's. The latest battery from CATL falls between the two, with a range approximately 30% ahead of Tesla. The free promotion of these two technologies in 2025 will further enhance BYD's market competitiveness.

Faced with BYD's technological offensive, the industry's first thought is how Tesla will respond? After all, in the global trend of electric vehicles, BYD and Tesla are the two main competitors. Recently, BYD Vice President Li Ke stated in an interview with the Financial Times that "BYD is willing to work together with Tesla to fight against gasoline cars and open up a new era of electric vehicles in the world. These two moves can be regarded as the "hand moves" in the game between the two.

Of course, Tesla will not sit idly by. Firstly, Tesla may accelerate the development of its FSD fully autonomous driving technology and the commercial promotion of AUTOTAXI to maintain its technological lead. Secondly, Tesla's biggest short-term operational behavior should be to reduce or even free FSD prices, or launch more cost-effective models, such as using Model 1 priced below 200000 yuan to cope with BYD's market impact. In addition, Tesla may increase its investment in localized research and development in the Chinese market, aiming to regain market share through close combat and enhance its brand influence and user loyalty in this main battlefield. Of course, Tesla's competitors in the Chinese market are not only BYD, but also Xiaomi's upcoming YU7, which focuses on visual and algorithmic ADAS layout, directly targets Model Y. Lei Jun is also a formidable opponent for Musk.

No matter how the winner or loser evolves, American car companies are undoubtedly standing at a crossroads in history. The changes in policies, challenges in the supply chain, and intensified technological competition have all brought uncertainty to its future development. However, opportunities often coexist with challenges. If American car companies can flexibly respond to policy changes, optimize supply chain management, and accelerate technological innovation, they are still expected to occupy a place in the global automotive industry's transformation. A hundred years ago, the heroic era of Henry Ford and William Durant is long gone, and the world automotive landscape outlined by AI and electrification will dominate the industry's development trajectory for decades to come. What American car companies can do is to maintain a catching up speed with Chinese giants and strive to keep pace. And the fate of American automobile companies will write a new chapter in this global game, but we cannot judge the outcome of the new chapter. Perhaps there is a 50-50 split between the dark and the bright and the irreversible.