MT Magazine September/October 2025

Learning From General Motors The unprecedented turbulence that manufacturing companies face from international trade conflicts will likely impact your operations. Learn what General Motors is doing – and how those tactics can enhance your operations. BY GARY S. VASILASH CONTRIBUTING DIRECTOR While current U.S. tariffs were meant to level the global playing field, growing pains were always inevitable. Even global powerhouse General Motors, the country’s largest automaker, must contend with the trade war’s dramatic reverberations. In July, despite reporting revenue of $47.12 billion for the second quarter of 2025 – and beating Wall Street estimates of $46.28 billion – GM’s profits took a $1.1 billion hit. And it anticipates more going forward. Although saying anything definitive about doing business globally is impossible due to the fluctuations of economics as politics, CEO Mary Barra delivered a strong, clear message in her letter to shareholders: GM is making adjustments to deal with the challenges. She wrote: “In addition to our strong underlying operating performance, we are positioning the business for a profitable, long-term future as we adapt to new trade and tax policies, and