According to data cited by The Wall Street Journal, the Detroit Three currently have an unsold inventory that could last them around two months on average. While it is unlikely that these carmakers will raise the price of their cars in the immediate aftermath, dealers could very well hike up the sticker price upon sensing an unpredictable supply situation in the months ahead. However, that price bump won’t likely be limited to new cars, as the used car market could see a similar pattern where models affected by the UAW strikers could quickly get more expensive.
Assuming the UAW strike lasts longer than the inventory estimates of GM, Ford, and Stellantis, it won’t exactly be a rosy situation for shoppers considering other overseas brands such as Honda or Toyota. That’s primarily because each maintains a significantly smaller inventory compared to its stateside counterparts. In a situation where buyers actually start picking up these vehicles, it won’t be long before the demand drives up the cost.
As workers go on strike with the intention of ramping up their efforts, the affected carmakers will also feel the pinch of supplying repair and specialty replacement parts. For an average car owner, that would mean the wait times for service and repair appointments could get longer. Moreover, depending on the repair outlets’ own inventories, their services could get more expensive as they prepare for an unpredictable future.