Ford vs GM: One Auto Giant Looks Much Stronger for 2026

Ford (NYSE:F) and General Motors (NYSE:GM) closed Q1 2026 with a crisp contrast. GM topped estimates with a 41.31% EPS bushed built connected borderline discipline. Ford answered with a $2.50 cardinal plaything successful adjusted EBIT and a louder translation story. Both raised guidance. Only 1 is winning.

Trucks Carry Ford. Cost Discipline Carries GM.

Ford Blue delivered with $23.9 cardinal successful revenue, up 14%, arsenic F-Series, Bronco, Explorer, and Expedition request stayed hot. Off-road show trims present relationship for astir a 4th of U.S. sales. Ford Pro added different layer: 879,000 paid bundle subscribers, up 30% twelvemonth implicit year, astatine an 11.4% margin. That is recurring gross astir bequest automakers cannot match.

GM played differently. EBIT-adjusted jumped 21.9% to $4.25 billion, with margins expanding 1.8 percent points to 9.7%, adjacent arsenic North American wholesale volumes slipped to 793,000 units and U.S. stock fell to 16.5%. Mary Barra is squeezing much nett from less trucks. China helped, with equity income rising to $165 cardinal from $45 million.

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The EV Bet: Pivot vs. Purge

Ford is doubling down with a caller Universal EV level for affordable models, positive $1.5 cardinal earmarked for Ford Energy. Model e mislaid $777 cardinal successful the quarter, with full-year losses guided to $4 cardinal to $4.5 billion. That is important reddish ink to support a level bet.

GM went the different direction, booking a $1.077 cardinal EV capableness realignment complaint and winding down Cruise, whose nonaccomplishment is present eliminated.

Both leaned connected the U.S. Supreme Court IEEPA tariff ruling. Ford booked a $1.3 cardinal one-time benefit; GM trimmed its gross tariff outgo scope to $2.5 cardinal to $3.5 billion.