RENAULT SA UNSP/ADR

Tesla TSLA is moving ahead with its self-driving plans in Europe after Dutch regulators approved Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (“FSD”), supervised for use with required human supervision on highways and city streets. The system can steer, brake and accelerate and will be introduced in the Netherlands soon. The country is a key market for Tesla, with about 100,000 eligible vehicles, including Model 3 and Model Y. Tesla plans to expand to other European countries.
The approval comes after more than 18 months of testing and review by the Dutch vehicle authority, RDW. RDW will now apply for approval across the European Union. Member states will vote on the application, and a majority is needed for it to be approved across the EU. If it does not receive majority support, individual countries may still choose to allow it.
Tesla is focusing on self-driving technology as a key part of its long-term plans. A large part of its valuation depends on expectations that AI-based driving software and robotaxi services will become major sources of revenues. The company aims to support demand in Europe, where sales have been affected by an aging vehicle lineup and comments by CEO Elon Musk that have alienated some consumers. Sales in the region increased in February for the first time in more than a year.
In the United States, the software is already available through a subscription-based model, but it has faced lawsuits and federal investigations after crashes and reports of traffic violations. Per RWD, European safety standards are stricter, and the approved version differs from the one used in the United States.
While other automakers offer hands-free driving features in limited conditions, Tesla’s system is designed to be used in a wider range of driving situations.
Tesla, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
TSLA stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are RENAULT RNLSY, Magna International MGA, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, and Geely Automobile GELHY, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RNLSY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 12.1% and 169.5%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have improved 30 cents and 14 cents, respectively, over the past 60 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MGA’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 2.3% and 19%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2026 and 2027 has improved 77 cents and 95 cents, respectively, over the past 60 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GELHY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 73.6% and 28.9%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2026 has improved 15 cents over the past 90 days, while that for 2027 has improved 12 cents over the past 30 days.
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TSLA's FSD Supervised Gets Dutch Approval, Sets Stage for EU Rollout

General Motors Company GM is ramping up production of its heavy-duty trucks at its Michigan facility to keep pace with robust demand for gasoline-powered pickups, even as fuel prices remain elevated.
Beginning in June, the Flint Assembly plant will shift to a six-day production schedule from the current five-day operation. However, the automaker does not intend to add more workers at the plant, which currently employs around 4,200 hourly staff and manufactures heavy-duty versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, the 2500 and 3500 versions.
These changes reflect strategic adjustments to align production with stronger market demand. The company sold roughly 320,000 heavy-duty Silverado and Sierra trucks in the United States in 2025. This increase in output comes despite surging fuel prices following tensions in the Middle East, with vehicle prices hovering near the $50,000 level. Per GM CFO Paul Jacobson, the company hadn’t observed any major change in sales despite rising gas prices after the Iran conflict.
Like many global automakers, GM is also expanding U.S.-based production to mitigate potential tariff impacts. Opened in 1947, the Flint facility remains a cornerstone of GM’s truck manufacturing operations. Besides heavy-duty base versions, it produces a range of trims, such as the GMC Sierra Denali, AT4X, AT4X American Expedition Vehicle and the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, ZR2 Bison and Trail Boss variants, per the company’s website.
Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
GM stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks in the auto space are Renault SA RNLSY, Blue Bird Corporation BLBD and Modine Manufacturing Company MOD, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RNLSY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 12.1% and 169.5%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have moved down 4 cents each in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BLBD’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.1%. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 has improved 16 cents in the past 30 days. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 has improved 26 cents in the past 60 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 21.3% and 19%, respectively. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has improved 19 cents and 89 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days.
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RENAULT (RNLSY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Is General Motors Expanding Truck Production in Michigan?

Rivian Automotive, Inc. RIVN and Uber Technologies, Inc. UBER have formed a strategic partnership to advance their autonomous vehicle ambitions. As part of the initial rollout, the companies aim to introduce 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis. The first launches are planned for San Francisco and Miami in 2028 and are likely to expand to 25 cities by 2031.
Under the agreement, Uber plans to invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian through 2031, contingent on meeting specific autonomous development milestones. An initial $300 million investment, equivalent to roughly 19.55 million shares, will follow regulatory approval, with additional funding released in phases as milestones are achieved. Uber will also pay licensing fees to use Rivian’s autonomous driving software.
If all targets are met, thousands of fully driverless R2 robotaxis could be operating across 25 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe by the end of 2031. The deal also includes an option for Uber to purchase up to 40,000 additional autonomous R2 vehicles starting in 2030. This collaboration follows Rivian’s earlier $5.8 billion software agreement with Volkswagen, announced in late 2024.
Per RJ Scaringe, CEO and founder of Rivian, the partnership with Uber is expected to accelerate Rivian’s progress toward Level 4 autonomy, leveraging its data capabilities, RAP1 inference platform and multi-modal perception system. Rivian’s upcoming R2 model and its underlying technologies position the company to enter the robotaxi market, which is currently led in the United States by Alphabet’s Waymo.
RIVN’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
RIVN carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present.
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Renault SA RNLSY and Modine Manufacturing Company MOD, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RNLSY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 14.4% and 176.3%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have improved 34 cents and 18 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 21.3% and 19%, respectively. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has improved by a penny and 4 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
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What Does Uber's $1.25B Investment Mean for Rivian's Future?

NIO Inc.’s NIO semiconductor arm, Shenji, is marketing its jointly developed M97 autonomous driving chip to automakers Leapmotor and Geely, per the Chinese media outlet 36Kr. The move reflects NIO’s effort to turn its substantial R&D investments into external revenues.
Established in 2021, NIO’s chip division has developed two proprietary chips, Yangjian for LiDAR control and the Shenji NX9031 for autonomous driving, per EV news blog. The NX9031 completed tape-out in July 2024 and was first introduced in the ET9 sedan in March 2025. By November 2025, NIO had begun supplying the chip externally, marking its first such deal.
Shortly after, Shenji formed a joint venture in Chongqing with Axera and OmniVision, backed by 100 million yuan in registered capital. In January, NIO expanded its semiconductor footprint by setting up two subsidiaries in Hangzhou and partnering with Lontium Semiconductor to advance chip industrialization.
Last month, Shenji raised 2.257 billion yuan in its first external funding round, valuing the unit at nearly 10 billion yuan, with NIO retaining a 62.7% controlling stake. The company also recently completed tape-out of a second high-end chip designed for a wider customer base and is now preparing it for mass production.
NIO is actively engaging potential clients, including automakers, robotaxi companies and firms focused on embodied AI. Its flagship NX9031 chip has already been deployed in more than 150,000 vehicles across models, such as the ET9, ES6, EC6 and ES8.
Leapmotor, along with other Chinese automakers, has been investigating the use of domestically developed high-performance ADAS chips as alternatives to products from NVIDIA Corporation NVDA and Qualcomm, per 36Kr.
Per chip division head Zhang Danyu, the chip offers a memory bandwidth of 546 GB/s, about twice that of NVIDIA’s Thor-U. A Shenji-equipped NIO vehicle can reduce per-vehicle component costs by roughly 10,000 yuan compared to NVIDIA-based systems. The chip is also expected to power the upcoming ES9 SUV, set for a technology debut on April 9, with deliveries starting June 1.
Meanwhile, Shenji’s Shanghai research team is developing a next-generation high-performance chip tailored for NIO’s internal use, separate from its externally focused programs like M97 and 9031e.
NIO reported a profit exceeding 1.2 billion yuan in the fourth quarter of 2025, its first profitable quarter after multiple periods of heavy losses. This turnaround follows cost-control measures and restructuring efforts, with the chip division, previously one of the company’s most capital-intensive segments, contributing to the improvement.
NIO’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks
NIO carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present.
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are RENAULT RNLSY and Modine Manufacturing MOD, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RNLSY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 14.4% and 176.3%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have improved 34 cents and 18 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 21.3% and 19%, respectively. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has improved a penny and 4 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
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NIO in Discussions With Leapmotor & Geely for Chip Supply

Genuine Parts Company GPC, based in Atlanta, is a distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts and materials. The company operates a vast network of more than 10,800 locations, primarily across North America, Europe and Australasia.
Genuine Parts operates through two segments – Automotive Parts and Industrial. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company reorganized its Automotive Parts Group into two separate business segments. The North America Automotive Parts Group (North America Automotive) includes all automotive operations in the United States and Canada, while the International Automotive Parts Group (International Automotive) comprises automotive operations across Europe and Australasia.
Year to date, Genuine Parts’ shares have underperformed the Zacks Retail/Wholesale-Auto Parts Market and the auto sector. GPC’s shares have lost 15.4% year to date, underperforming the Zacks Retail/Wholesale-Auto Parts Market’s (ZSI9M) 0.7% gain and the auto sector’s 10.1% decline during the same period.
Analyzing YTD Stock Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Supports the Investment Case for GPC
Acquisition-Driven Growth Strengthens Market Position
Genuine Parts is actively expanding its market presence through strategic acquisitions. Notable deals include KDG in early 2022, which enhanced its industrial segment in North America, and Gaudi in 2023, which grew its European automotive footprint.
In 2024, Genuine Parts acquired MPEC and Walker to bolster its NAPA network and Midwest reach. In 2025, GPC spent more than $320 million toward acquisitions, including the Benson Auto Parts deal (≈85 stores in Canada), reinforcing its presence in key priority markets and supporting long-term share gains.
Motion Segment Poised to Benefit From Industrial Recovery Trends
Motion is supported by stable MRO demand, growing data center activity, and onshoring trends driven by shifting trade policies. While some commodity-related end markets remain soft, its disciplined cost structure and operational focus position it to benefit from an industrial recovery. A rebound in OEM capital spending could drive margin expansion through operating leverage, offering a compelling earnings acceleration opportunity over the next cycle.
Strong 2026 Sales Outlook Signals Steady Growth Momentum
GPC expects 2026 sales growth in the range of 3-5.5%. North America Automotive sales are projected to rise 3-5%, driven by strong demand in North America and the benefits from the Benson acquisition in Canada. International Automotive is expected to grow 3-6%. Industrial sales growth is expected to be in the range of 3-6%, supported by improving trends in Motion’s core MRO and data center end markets.
Restructuring Actions Drive Cost Savings and Margin Expansion
GPC is executing a global restructuring initiative to better align its cost base and asset footprint with current market conditions. The efforts delivered approximately $175 million in benefits last year, exceeding management’s expectations of $110-$135 million. In 2026, the company’s restructuring actions are expected to generate an additional $100-$125 million in annualized benefits.
Shareholder-Friendly Policies and Strong ROE Highlight Value Proposition
GPC continues to build investor confidence through shareholder-friendly actions. A dividend aristocrat, the company has paid dividends annually since 1948 and recently raised its 2026 payout 3.2% to $4.25 per share, marking its 70th consecutive annual increase.
In 2025, Genuine Parts returned $564 million to shareholders through dividends. The company’s 16.9% return on equity far exceeds the auto sector average of 8%, highlighting strong capital efficiency and management’s commitment to rewarding shareholders.
Key Risks for GPC Stock
Rising Cost Pressures Weigh on Profitability
The company anticipates continued cost inflation from rising salaries and wages, largely due to mandated pay increases in international markets, along with ongoing inflationary headwinds in U.S. healthcare expenses, which are increasing at a high single-digit pace.
Higher Operating Expenses and Investments to Pressure Margins
Genuine Parts expects adjusted SG&A to rise 30-50 basis points in 2026 as persistent inflation in rent and operating costs offset restructuring savings. As a result, SG&A is projected to grow slightly faster than revenues, pressuring margins. Depreciation and interest expenses are expected to create a $30 million headwind due to ongoing capital investments and financing obligations. Rising operating expenses will hit near-term earnings growth.
Weakness in the European Segment Raises Growth Concerns
GPC’s European segment is under pressure, with sales down approximately 2% in local currency and roughly 3% in comparable sales in the fourth quarter. The region faces soft demand and ongoing cost pressures. While strategic initiatives, including NAPA brand expansion, are supporting performance, near-term growth and margin expansion remain challenged.
Tariff Uncertainty and End-Market Weakness Pose Risks
Tariff and trade uncertainty add to demand risk, particularly among more cautious end customers. In the Industrial segment, weakness in commodity-related markets, such as metals and heavy manufacturing, could limit growth. The automotive business also faces pressure as independent and small business customers manage inventory cautiously in a dynamic operating environment.
Final Thoughts for GPC Stock
Acquisition-driven expansion, resilient demand in its Motion segment and a steady 2026 sales outlook enhance GPC’s prospects. Ongoing restructuring initiatives and consistent shareholder returns further strengthen its long-term growth profile and capital efficiency.
However, near-term headwinds, including persistent cost inflation and rising operating expenses and softness in the European segment, could pressure margins and earnings growth. Macro uncertainty and cautious customer spending also pose risks. Given these factors and its current Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), the stock may not offer an attractive entry point for new investors at this time.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are RENAULT RNLSY, Modine Manufacturing MOD and Strattec Security STRT, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RNLSY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 14.4% and 176.3%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have improved 34 cents and 18 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MOD’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 21.3% and 19%, respectively. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has improved 1 cent and 4 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRT’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 2.1% and 16.2%, respectively. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has improved $1.01 and 48 cents, respectively, in the past 60 days.
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Genuine Parts Stock Down 15% YTD: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock Now?

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. AAP, is a leading automotive parts provider in North America, serving both the do-it-yourself or DIY and professional installers.
While AAP expects some hiccups due to rising debt and competition, strategic initiatives, supply-chain improvements and store expansion efforts are expected to support sales recovery, margin improvement and gradually strengthen overall growth prospects.
Factors to Drive AAP’s Prospects
In March 2025, the company achieved a key strategic milestone by completing its store footprint optimization program. Now, about 75% of its stores are located in markets where it holds the number one or two position in terms of store density. Building on this foundation, the company has launched a bold new phase of expansion, aiming to strengthen its presence in these high-potential regions and capture a larger share of the more than $150 billion total addressable market. In 2026, the company plans to open 40-45 new stores.
Supporting this expansion is the company’s effort to consolidate its supply chain into a single unified network. The strategy focuses on simplifying and standardizing distribution center operations, deploying labor performance and transportation management tools, and converting smaller legacy distribution centers into market hubs. AAP currently operates 16 distribution centers and expects to operate 15 in the United States by the end of 2027. It plans to open 10-15 market hubs in 2026 as part of its broader goal of launching more than 100 new distribution points over the next two years to support growth acceleration.
Operational improvements are already translating into better financial performance. Adjusted operating income from continuing operations reached $73 million in fourth-quarter 2025, reflecting an approximately 870-basis-point improvement year over year, driven by lower SG&A expenses. The company expects SG&A expenses to decline in 2026, contributing 20-50 basis points of leverage, with first-quarter expenses projected to fall 3-4% as store closure impacts ease. Continued initiatives to improve parts availability and customer service are expected to support comparable sales growth of 1-2% and expand adjusted operating margin to 3.8-4.5%, up from 2.5% in 2025. AAP targets a 100-basis-point margin expansion in 2027 and maintains medium-term goals of a 7% adjusted operating margin and mid-40% gross margin.
Further enhancing execution, the company launched its updated operating model across all stores in fourth-quarter 2025. The model optimizes driver and store labor hours and improves vehicle allocation to better match demand, enhancing coordination between sales and store teams. Combined with new store openings and a 40-minute delivery commitment, the initiative is expected to drive faster transactions, improved labor efficiency and accelerated growth across professional accounts.
AAP Exposed to Rising Debt, Competition and Spending Pressure
While operational momentum is improving, several challenges continue to pose risks. AAP’s stretched balance sheet remains a concern, with long-term debt increasing to $3.41 billion as of Jan. 3, 2026, from $1.8 billion as of Dec. 28, 2024. The company’s long-term debt-to-capital ratio stands at 0.61 compared with the auto sector’s 0.17, limiting financial flexibility.
Demand pressures are also evident in the DIY segment, where financially strained consumers are reducing discretionary purchases. Although the automotive aftermarket benefits from essential maintenance demand, near-term softness continues to weigh on DIY sales trends.
At the same time, higher investment requirements may pressure cash flows. AAP is increasing capital expenditures to support store expansion, supply-chain enhancements and merchandising initiatives aimed at improving inventory availability, along with store and technology upgrades such as roofing, HVAC and system improvements. The company expects capital expenditures of around $300 million in 2026, up from $252 million in 2025.
Competitive intensity remains another headwind, as Advance Auto faces pricing pressure from national and regional automotive retailers, such as AutoZone, O’Reilly Automotive, Pep Boys and CSK Auto Corporation, along with growing online competition and increasing parts complexity.
Conclusion
Advance Auto Parts is advancing its turnaround strategy through store optimization, supply chain transformation and an updated operating model designed to improve efficiency, parts availability and customer service. Planned store expansion, market hub development and cost-control initiatives are expected to support comparable sales growth and margin recovery, strengthening the company’s long-term growth trajectory and competitive positioning.
However, rising debt levels, higher capital expenditures and ongoing price competition pose notable risks. Pressure in the DIY segment and increased spending requirements, along with its present Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggest a cautious near-term outlook dependent on consistent execution and demand stabilization.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Key Picks
Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are RENAULT RNLSY, Magna International MGA and Strattec Security STRT, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RNLSY’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 14.4% and 176.3%, respectively. The EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have improved 34 cents and 18 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MGA’s 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 2.3% and 18.7%, respectively. The EPS estimate for 2026 and 2027 has improved 8 cents and 14 cents, respectively, in the past seven days.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for STRT’s fiscal 2026 sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 2.1% and 16.2%, respectively. The EPS estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 has improved 85 cents and 48 cents, respectively, in the past 30 days.
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Why Should You Consider Retaining Advance Auto in Your Portfolio Now?

Ford’s F European business has been under pressure for the past few years. Passenger vehicle demand has been weak, electric vehicle (EV) adoption has moved slower than expected, and competition—especially from low-cost Chinese automakers—has intensified. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, Ford’s sales in Europe fell 17% in 2024, reflecting a shrinking model lineup, tough economic conditions and softer consumer spending.
That strain forced Ford to make hard calls. The company announced job cuts and plant closures as part of a broader restructuring aimed at reducing costs and narrowing its focus. Market share in Europe remains a challenge, with the business running at a loss. Still, what’s notable is that Ford hasn’t chosen the easy exit.
Unlike its arch rival General Motors GM, which sold Opel and Vauxhall to PSA (now Stellantis) in 2017 and largely exited Europe after years of losses, Ford is sticking around. After more than 100 years in the region, Ford believes Europe still matters—both strategically and financially—if the business is reshaped the right way.
A Three-Pillar Reset Plan for Europe
First, the company wants to further strengthen Ford Pro, its commercial vehicle division, which is already the most profitable part of its European operations. Second, Ford plans to refresh its passenger vehicle lineup with more distinctive, multi-energy models. Third, it’s working to optimize its industrial footprint to drive scale and cost efficiency.
Ford Pro has moved beyond selling vans and trucks to offering a full ecosystem of software and services. Its Ford Liive Uptime system uses billions of vehicle data points to predict maintenance issues and reduce downtime. In 2024 alone, this translated into an estimated 820,000 additional days of vehicle uptime for European businesses—real, tangible value for customers.
Ford plans to introduce a range of affordable, multi-energy passenger cars and commercial vehicles designed to give customers flexibility. These vehicles are expected to reach showrooms in 2028 and should help make Ford more competitive in an increasingly crowded market. That said, execution risk remains high. Producing EVs at lower cost and higher volumes is critical, but Ford is effectively racing against China’s cost advantage and strong momentum in Europe. Ford’s success will hinge on how quickly it gets new vehicles to market and lowers costs.
Ford is also reshaping its manufacturing footprint to lower costs and streamline its EV supply chain. In the U.K., the Halewood plant now produces electric drive units following a £380 million investment, while Dagenham remains focused on advanced engine technology. Meanwhile, Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain continues to play a key role in future passenger vehicle production.
Partnerships Powering the Strategy
Ford is leaning on partnerships—something it has historically done well in Europe. In December, Ford announced a collaboration with Renault SA RNLSY to develop small, low-cost EVs for the region. Under the deal, two Ford-branded EVs will be built on Renault’s Ampere platform, with launches planned for 2028. The partnership also includes co-producing commercial vans, which aligns directly with Ford Pro’s strength.
This builds on Ford’s earlier alliances. Its joint venture with Turkey’s Koç Holding has been a major value driver for commercial vehicles, while collaboration with Volkswagen VWAGY has supported both passenger cars and vans. Ford’s current EVs from the Volkswagen alliance are produced at its Cologne EV Center in Germany.
Early Signs of Progress
Financially, the restructuring appears to be working. Per Automotive News Europe, as cited in Forbes, Ford’s European loss narrowed sharply to $52 million in the third quarter of 2025 from a loss of about $440 million a year earlier. That’s a meaningful improvement, even if the region isn’t profitable yet.
Ford Europe is still a work in progress, but the strategy is clearer and more disciplined now. If Ford Pro continues to deliver and partnerships help close the EV cost gap, Europe could shift from being a drag to a more stable contributor for Ford in the years to come.
The Zacks Rundown for Ford
Shares of F have gained 33% in the past year, outperforming the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, F trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.32, below the industry. It carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
See how the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ford’s earnings has been revised over the past 90 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Ford currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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Can Ford's Europe Strategy Finally Turn Losses Into Stability?

U.S. legacy automaker Ford F is joining forces with France-based car company Renault RNLSY to jointly develop affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe. Ford’s passenger-car share in the continent has declined by almost half since 2019. As such, the U.S. auto giant Ford needed a fresh way to re-enter the EV race with scale and sharper economics. Partnering with Renault gives it exactly that.
The collaboration will center on developing smaller, more affordable Ford-branded EVs built on Renault’s Ampere platform, a technology base designed for cost competitiveness in a market now flooded with low-priced Chinese electric cars from companies like BYD and XPeng.
Production will take place in northern France, inside Renault’s ElectriCity network. By relying on Renault’s EV architecture and factory scale, Ford will not have to make a massive upfront investment usually required to launch an all-new EV line. And that’s particularly important at this time. Back home, with the U.S. government pulling back federal support for EVs, Ford now faces the burden of funding combustion-engine programs while still financing next-generation EVs. So, an opportunity to share costs and lower risk is a welcome one.
The first model is expected to hit showrooms in early 2028, and while that timeline may feel distant, it signals the start of Ford’s renewed product push in Europe.The agreement also opens the door for a separate collaboration on light commercial vehicles, a segment both companies know well.
The new deal with Renault complements Ford’s long-standing platform-sharing work with Volkswagen, giving Ford a diversified European EV strategy rather than dependence on a single partner.
Alliance with Renault is expected to help Ford address its most pressing European vulnerabilities. It gives Ford a credible EV pipeline, lowers its cost curve, and positions it to compete with both traditional rivals and fast-moving Chinese automakers better.
General Motors GM, Ford’s closest peer, is also entering into similar collaborations to bring products to market faster and at lower cost through shared development. General Motors and Hyundai have tied up to co-develop five vehicles for the Americas. Their plan includes four models for South and Central America—a compact SUV, a car and a midsize pickup—along with an electric commercial van for North America. General Motors will lead midsize truck, while Hyundai will oversee compact car and electric van, with launches starting in 2028.
Zacks Rundown on Ford
Shares of Ford have risen 38% year to date, outperforming the industry’s gain of 16%.
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From a valuation perspective, F appears undervalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.33, lower than the industry’s 3.44.
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See how Ford’s earnings estimates have been revised over the last 90 days,
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F carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Will Ford's Leaner EV Approach Give It a Stronger Foothold in Europe?

Ford Motor Company F is teaming up with Renault SA RNLSY to develop small, low-cost electric vehicles for Europe and co-produce commercial vans, per a Reuters article published on MSN.
Per CEO Jim Farley, the company is struggling to maintain its position amid intensifying competition from Chinese EV makers, particularly in Europe. Under the new partnership, the first of two compact EVs built by Renault at its northern France plant will arrive in European showrooms in 2028. Per Farley, these models will be smaller than anything Ford plans for the United States and will fill a key gap in its European lineup.
The two companies will also collaborate on Ford and Renault brand vans for the region, which is likely to create a European LCV powerhouse that Chinese rivals will struggle to challenge. The collaboration began after Renault executives visited Ford’s Detroit headquarters in March.
Ford’s share of the European passenger car market has dropped from 6.1% in 2019 to 3.3% this year as it scaled back passenger car operations, cut jobs and closed its Saarlouis plant in Germany. Leveraging Renault’s EV platforms while incorporating Ford’s design approach is expected to strengthen Ford’s competitiveness against both legacy European automakers like Volkswagen and rapidly expanding Chinese brands. F carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Other Auto Makers Facing Competition From Chinese Counterparts
Tesla, Inc. TSLA has been losing market share after dominating the EV market for years, while all other players are gaining market share at its expense. Tesla’s US EV market share is currently below 50%, down from 63% in 2022. The company’s dominant market position is likely to drop further, thanks to stiff competition. There are also concerns with respect to the Chinese market, which is full of home-grown players. As China is a big market for Tesla, stiff competition is likely to erode its share in the country.
Rivian’s RIVN trucks are on the higher end of the market, making demand sensitive to economic conditions. Amid the rising competition from domestic and Chinese players, Rivian must differentiate itself while maintaining growth. Rivian’s next model offering is still a year away.
F’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Ford has outperformed the Zacks Automotive-Domestic industry year to date. Its shares have gained 32.1% compared with the industry’s growth of 12.7%.
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From a valuation perspective, F appears undervalued. Going by its price/sales ratio, the company is trading at a forward sales multiple of 0.32, lower than the industry’s 3.25.
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for F’s 2025 EPS has moved down 2 cents in the past seven days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for F’s 2026 EPS has inched up a penny in the past 30 days.
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Will Ford's Renault Alliance Help Counter Rising Chinese EV Rivals?

Cerence’s CRNC shares have experienced an impressive surge of 387.1% over the trailing six months, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology Sector’s modest return of 1.1% and the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry’s appreciation of 13.6%.
CRNC’s positive share price movement has been driven by its successful integration of generative AI (Gen AI) solutions, record platform launches and robust partner network. Strong revenue performance and a clear focus on automotive AI innovations powered its growth.
Cerence’s recent collaboration with NVIDIA NVDA strengthened its position in automotive AI. CRNC will utilize NVIDIA’s advanced chip technology that will improve the performance and scalability of its offerings.
However, the rising AI competition poses a threat to Cerence's market share. Maintaining a competitive edge amid increasing AI advancements is a challenge.
Cerence Inc. Price and Consensus
Strong AI Portfolio & Partnerships Drive CRNC
Cerence has positioned itself at the forefront of the AI revolution in the automotive industry by leveraging its diverse product portfolio to meet the growing demand for enhanced in-car experiences. Its solutions include conversational and Gen AI, and audio and communication AI.
CRNC achieved 10 customer wins and launched six Gen AI programs in fiscal 2024, showcasing strong momentum in deploying advanced AI solutions.
Major automotive OEMs, including Microsoft MSFT, Volkswagen, BMW and Renault RNLSY, have implemented Cerence's voice assistance systems to enhance in-car interactions.
CRNC's AI technology powers more than 500 million cars globally, highlighting its extensive market reach and leadership in the automotive AI sector.
The company created a record with 22 platform launches in 2024, four of which debuted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. It recently announced a multi-year agreement with JLR to develop the luxury automaker's next-generation in-car experience. This partnership uses Cerence's AI-enabled technologies to deliver advanced intelligence and capabilities to JLR customers globally.
Cerence's Gen AI technology was chosen by Audi to enhance the capabilities of its in-car assistant.
Rising Competition Impacts CRNC’s Prospects
The rapid advancement of AI technologies has intensified competition in the automotive AI sector. Companies like SoundHound AI compete directly with Cerence in the automotive AI market, focusing on voice recognition and conversational AI solutions.
CRNC's technology has been integrated into 52% of global auto production for the trailing 12 months, showing a minor dip. This decrease is attributed to lower production volumes from key customers.
CRNC’s Sales & Earnings Estimates Show Mixed Trend
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2025 revenues is pegged at $57.71 million, indicating a 14.92% year-over-year decline.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2025 non-GAAP earnings is pegged at 2 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The consensus mark indicates a year-over-year surge of 122.22%.
The company expects revenues for fiscal 2025 to be $236-$247 million. This outlook includes headwinds of $5-$7 million due to a strategic shift from professional service projects.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 revenues is pegged at $241.27 million, indicating a year-over-year decline of 27.22%.
The non-GAAP loss per share for the fiscal 2025 is projected between 92 cents and 67 cents.
The consensus mark for 2025 earnings is pegged at 15 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 87.80%.
CRNC has a long history of reporting strong quarterly performances, with earnings surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 110.86%.
Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Zacks Rank
Currently, CRNC carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which implies investors should wait for a more favorable entry point to accumulate the stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.