While Detroit blinked on EVs, the Iran war has handed Chinese automakers the opportunity of a lifetime
The ongoing Iran war has led to a significant increase in gas prices, creating a favorable environment for Chinese automakers while American companies retreat from electric vehicles (EVs). Ford and General Motors have made substantial write-downs and shifted focus away from EV production due to declining sales and high consumer prices. As a result, Chinese car manufacturers, having prepared for this moment, are now positioned to capitalize on the situation and expand their market share globally.
- ▪Gas prices in the U.S. have surged to an average of $4.51, up 50% since late February.
- ▪American automakers like Ford and GM are pulling back on EVs, with Ford reporting a $19.5 billion write-down on its EV business.
- ▪Chinese automakers have been preparing for this opportunity for decades and are now seeing success in both domestic and international markets.
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| Original publisher | Fortune |
| Canonical URL | https://fortune.com/2026/05/18/chinese-evs-opportunity-ford-gm-iran-war-inflation-affordability-american-politics-donald-trump-tariffs/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-18T06:14:56.069Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-18T06:14:56.069Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Just as American automakers started pulling back on EVs, the Iran war has sent gas prices skyrocketing, opening up a crucial opportunity for Chinese car companies to seize the moment.Recommended Video In December, Ford took one of the biggest write-downs in history with a $19.5 billion charge on its EV business. As part of the move, the company killed its all-electric F-150 pickup truck and will retool it as an extended-range hybrid amid a broader shift away from EVs. General Motors, for its part, announced total EV-related charges of $7.6 billion, abandoning plans to build EVs at a Michigan factory that will now make gas-powered SUVs and pickups.
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