Car stocks offer investors the chance to back companies with international renown. But the global performance of this industry can be inconsistent and isn’t immune to market-impacting events. Here’s how you can get involved.
| Car stock | Icon | 1-year performance (to Aug. '26) | 5-year performance (to Aug. '26) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin Lagonda (AMGDF) |  |
-51.40% | -98.07% | More info |
| Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) |  |
-32.61% | -32.96% | More info |
| Ferrari NV (RACE) |  |
-24.21% | 78.43% | More info |
| Ford Motor Company (F) |  |
20.48% | 2.42% | More info |
| General Motors Company (GM) |  |
45.84% | 38.60% | More info |
| Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. (005380) |  |
101.18% | 84.57% | More info |
| Honda Motor Co Ltd (HMC) |  |
-8.83% | -11.25% | More info |
| Li Auto Inc (LI) |  |
-48.00% | -59.27% | More info |
| Nio (NIO) |  |
17.88% | -87.14% | More info |
| Polestar Automotive (PSNY) |  |
-52.75% | -94.78% | More info |
| Porsche AG (P911) |  |
0.28% | -62.07% (3 years) | More info |
| Renault SA (RNO) |  |
-37.36% | -16.55% | More info |
| Rivian Automotive (RIVN) |  |
38.56% | -29.49% (3 years – 2021 IPO) | More info |
| Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (RR) |  |
41.58% | 1,406.77% | More info |
| Stellantis NV (STLA) |  |
-40.04% | -61.65% | More info |
| Tesla (TSLA) |  |
27.48% | 67.12% | More info |
| Toyota Motor (TM) |  |
3.65% | -1.07% | More info |
| Volvo AB (VLVLY) |  |
24.45% | 44.37% | More info |
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
Some of the stocks listed above are parent corporations with a few brands in their fold.
Most carmakers have relatively thin profit margins, but have been considered a reliable investment for decades. Car and auto stocks are considered to be cyclical stocks, which means they generally rise and fall as consumer confidence changes.
When the economy is doing well, people are more likely to buy new vehicles, which can have a positive impact on auto share prices. When the economy is doing poorly, people are unlikely to buy new cars, and auto stocks may suffer as a result.
The rise of electric and hybrid vehicles has also had a huge impact on car stocks, with companies like Tesla (TSLA) reaching huge valuations due to investor confidence in the future of electric cars. Most of the world’s largest car manufacturers now produce electric vehicles, and this is likely to have a significant impact on the price of car stocks in future.
The UK has a proud automotive tradition, and there are a number of popular UK car stocks that are listed on the London Stock Exchange, including:
If you're interested in investing in this industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles and motorcycles, spare parts, and accessories worldwide. It operates through Automotive, Motorcycles, and Financial Services segments. The company offers automobiles under the BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands. It also develops, manufactures, and sells scooters, and motorcycles for private use and special-purpose vehicles for operational use under the BMW Motorrad brand.
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft is listed on the XETRA, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around €128 billion and employs 146,064 staff.
Capital at risk
Honda Motor Co. , Ltd. engages in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of motorcycles, automobiles, and power products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Motorcycle Business, Automobile Business, Financial Services Business, and Power Product and Other Businesses. The Motorcycle Business segment produces motorcycles, including sports, business, and commuter models; and various off-road vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides.
Honda Motor Co Ltd ADR is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around $22.5 trillion and employs 195,109 staff.
Capital at risk
Li Auto Inc. operates in the energy vehicle market in the People's Republic of China. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles. Its product line comprises multi-purpose vehicles and sport utility vehicles. The company offers sales and after sales management, and technology development and corporate management services, as well as manufacturing equipment. It offers its products through online and offline channels.
Li Auto Inc is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around $109.4 billion and employs 30,728 staff.
Capital at risk
Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC engages in the research and development, marketing, commercialization, and sale of battery electric vehicles in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and internationally. The company offers battery electric vehicles, including Polestar 2 (PS2); Polestar 3 (PS3); Polestar 4 (PS4); Polestar 5 (PS5); and Polestar 6 (PS6), a roadster. It also provides licenses and royalties; software and performance engineered kits; and carbon credits.
Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC Class A ADS is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around $3.1 billion and employs 1,686 staff.
Capital at risk
Dr. Ing. Porsche AG engages in automotive and financial services business in Germany, Europe, North America, China, and internationally. The company procures, develops, manufactures, and sells vehicles, as well as related services.
Porsche is listed on the XETRA, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around €35.3 billion and employs 38,481 staff.
Capital at risk
Stellantis N. V. engages in the designing, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of automobiles and light commercial vehicles, engines, transmission systems, and mobility services worldwide. It provides luxury and premium vehicles; sport utility vehicles; and parts and accessories. The company also provides contract services; retail and dealer financing services; and vehicle leasing and rental services, as well as engages in after-market parts and service businesses and data businesses.
Stellantis is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around $160.9 billion and employs 258,668 staff.
Capital at risk
AB Volvo (publ), together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells trucks, buses, construction equipment, and marine and industrial engines in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The company operates through Industrial Operations - Trucks, Industrial Operations - Construction Equipment, Industrial Operations - Buses, Industrial Operations - Volvo Penta, Industrial Operations - Group Functions & Other, and Financial Services segments.
Volvo AB ADR is listed on the PINK, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around $493.8 billion and employs 89,417 staff.
Capital at risk
The industry is in the middle of a period of flux, transitioning from vehicles that rely on petrochemicals and humans to electric and potentially autonomous vehicles. Who knows… hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles could change everything! Electric vehicle sales have been steadily climbing since 2013, averaging a sizeable 25% growth rate year over year.
Some brands are proving better at adapting than others, and new players are entering the fray as the tech evolves. So it’s realistic to expect that we’re going to see winners and losers, and that means the opportunity for canny investors to speculate.
We’re likely to depend on cars for the foreseeable future, but they’re changing fast. As well as pioneering and/or resilient manufacturers, speculators are finding opportunities for equity growth in linked “nuts and bolts” stocks, like battery or chip makers. As the landscape changes, we may see the survival of the fastest-to-adapt.
As ever, a diverse portfolio is usually safest, and putting all your money into car stocks could be a risky game.
Why these brands? We took the 8 largest publicly-traded car stocks by market cap at the start of 2024, where the stock is a brand rather than an unheard-of parent corporation. We excluded Ferrari beacuse, well, it's Ferrari.
| Response | % of respondents |
|---|---|
| Volvo | 10.42% |
| Volkswagen | 8.33% |
| Toyota | 14.58% |
| Tesla | 18.75% |
| Mercedes | 14.58% |
| Honda | 0.00% |
| Ford | 20.83% |
| BMW | 12.50% |
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