Ranking of Leading American Automobile Companies and Their Key Components (Image Gallery)
In 2021, the U.S. auto industry witnessed significant shifts as traditional players and newcomers navigated the market. Tesla and Berkshire Hathaway (which owns auto insurance and other automotive interests) stood out among the top public companies by market capitalization, with Tesla notably rising into the top 10[1].
Tesla's Financial Performance in 2021
Tesla's financial performance in 2021 was marked by rapid market cap growth, strong revenue growth, and improving profit margins. The company's market capitalization peaked at around $1.06 trillion in Q4 2021[1]. While precise 2021 revenue and margin details are not available, Tesla's market cap rise correlates with increased vehicle deliveries and operational efficiencies. Moreover, Tesla was among the few automakers to report year-over-year profit and substantial revenue growth in 2021[1][4].
Other Auto Manufacturers and Suppliers' Performance
Other major auto companies, such as General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Honda, also reported significant profits and revenue as of 2020 data, though specific 2021 figures are not provided here. For instance, Toyota had $19.1 billion in profits in 2020[3]. Volkswagen posted $15.54 billion in profits in the same year[3]. General Motors reported $6.73 billion in profits in 2020[3].
Hyundai showed an impressive 86.5% profit increase from 2019 to 2020, indicating strong growth heading into 2021[3]. The auto sector was generally recovering from 2020 pandemic impacts, with companies like Tesla particularly benefiting from the expansion of the EV market and supplier firms seeing improved margins[2].
Comparative Table of Key Data
The following table provides a summary of key data, mainly market cap and known 2020 profits for a selection of U.S. auto manufacturers and suppliers.
| Company | 2021 Market Cap (Billion $) | 2020 Profit (Billion $) | Revenue Growth / Notes | |--------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------|----------------------------------| | Tesla | ~$1,061 (Q4) | Not specified here | Rapid revenue/profit growth in 2021[1][4] | | Berkshire Hathaway* | ~$669 (Q4) | NA (Auto interests only) | Diversified conglomerate includes auto insurance[1] | | Toyota Motor | NA | $19.1 | Slow growth but highly profitable[3] | | Volkswagen | NA | $15.54 | Stable profits pre-2021[3] | | General Motors | NA | $6.73 | Significant profits 2020 | | Hyundai | NA | $2.56 | +86.5% profit growth (2019-2020) |
(*) Berkshire Hathaway is not an auto manufacturer, but is a top company with automotive business units.
Other Auto Manufacturers and Suppliers' Performance Context
In addition to Tesla and Berkshire Hathaway, several other U.S. auto manufacturers and suppliers made notable appearances in the Fortune 500 list in 2021.
- Dana Inc. ranked 146th with a revenue of $8,945 million and a profit margin of 2.20%.
- BorgWarner Inc. ranked 98th with a revenue of $14,838 million and a profit margin of 3.62%.
- Harley-Davidson Inc. ranked 226th with a revenue of $5,336 million and a profit margin of 12.18%.
- LCI Industries ranked 258th with a revenue of $4,473 million and a profit margin of 6.43%.
- General Motors Co. ranked 6th with a revenue of $127,004 million and a profit margin of 7.89%.
- Lear Corp. ranked 74th with a revenue of $19,263 million and a profit margin of 1.94%.
- Gentex Corp. ranked 435th with a revenue of $1,731 million and a profit margin of 20.84%.
- Altra Industrial Motion Corp. ranked 408th with a revenue of $1,900 million and a profit margin of 1.46%.
- Wabash National Corp. ranked 422nd with a revenue of $1,803 million and a profit margin of 0.07%.
- Paccar Inc. ranked 59th with a revenue of $23,522 million and a profit margin of 7.87%.
- Meritor Inc. ranked 279th with a revenue of $3,833 million and a profit margin of 5.19%.
- Visteon Corp. ranked 346th with a revenue of $2,773 million and a profit margin of 1.48%.
- Cummins Inc. ranked 58th with a revenue of $24,021 million and a profit margin of 8.87%.
- Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. ranked 371st with a revenue of $2,330 million and a profit margin of -13.85%.
- Thor Industries Inc. ranked 118th with a revenue of $12,317 million and a profit margin of 7.49%.
- Winnebago Industries Inc. ranked 290th with a revenue of $3,630 million and a profit margin of 7.77%.
- Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. ranked 365th with a revenue of $2,402 million and a profit margin of 18.40%.
- Tenneco Inc. ranked 81st with a revenue of $18,035 million and a profit margin of 0.19%.
(Data for the analysis was provided by Seeking Alpha and S&P Global.)
Tesla's Position in the Fortune 500
Tesla Inc. ranked 26th in the US 500 with a revenue of $53,823 million and a profit margin of 10.49%. This significant position underscores Tesla's financial momentum and its increasing influence in the U.S. auto industry.
Other companies in the Fortune 500 list include Superior Industries Inc., American Axle, Sensata Technologies Holding PLC, and Winnebago Industries Inc.
In summary, the U.S. auto industry in 2021 was marked by Tesla's leading position in terms of market capitalization, revenue growth, and profitability improvements. Traditional manufacturers such as General Motors and suppliers experienced mixed recovery, with 2020 profits available but specific 2021 data not fully detailed here. Tesla's significant financial momentum through 2021 contrasts with more modest or stable profit numbers from established firms in 2020, suggesting Tesla’s continued impact on the U.S. auto industry in the years to come.
- Given the financial performance statistics in 2021, it's evident that Tesla's market cap, revenue, and profit margins showed substantial growth, outpacing the traditional manufacturing companies such as General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, and others, as per the provided comparison table.
- With the ever-evolving landscape of the auto industry, the rise of technology-oriented companies like Tesla has introduced a significant shift in the industry, influencing both financial sectors (finance and business) and technological innovations, setting a new trend for the future of the industry.
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