Key facts
- General Motors and Ford have significantly reduced the amount of time spent discussing electric vehicles (EVs) on their quarterly earnings calls.
- Both automakers have altered, delayed, or abandoned plans for new EV models, leading to layoffs and scaled-back factory operations.
- GM's EV mentions dropped from 82 on a Q2 2025 earnings call to 21 on its most recent Q2 2026 call.
- Ford's CEO Jim Farley indicated that the company will invest in affordable EVs, with new products expected next year.
- GM spokesperson Jim Cain emphasized quality over quantity and highlighted investments in technologies to improve EV profitability.
General Motors and Ford, once heavily focused on electric vehicles (EVs), are now discussing them less with investors on quarterly earnings calls. An analysis of seven years of earnings calls by TechCrunch and Hudson Labs revealed a significant decrease in EV mentions, particularly after the pandemic and following shifts in company strategies and political environments.
Both automakers have faced challenges, including altering, delaying, or abandoning EV models, which has led to layoffs and scaled-back factory plans. While GM and Ford continue to sell EVs and have new models in development, their overall focus has broadened to include areas like software, services, and autonomous technology.
GM spokesperson Jim Cain stated that the company prioritizes quality and is investing in technologies like lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries to improve profitability, while also dedicating time to discuss growth opportunities and complex market factors. Ford spokesperson David Tovar highlighted the upcoming launch of a new "Universal Electric Vehicle" platform next year, aiming for a midsize pickup truck that balances cost, price, and technology.
Stellantis was excluded from the analysis as it traditionally lagged in EV adoption and held earnings calls only twice a year. The analysis sourced transcripts from S&P Market Intelligence and used AI tools to tag topics and track their frequency. GM's EV mentions dropped sharply from 82 on a Q2 2025 call to 21 on its most recent Q2 2026 call, a period marked by policy changes and tariffs.