US carmakers are getting squeezed — and Chinese brands are waiting outside

NEW YORK, Oct 3 — Major US automakers have watched their domestic market share shrink even more thanks to their Asian competitors — a situation that may worsen if Chinese firms are able to enter the US market, an idea floated by President Donald Trump.

“The broader market story continues to be the growing (sales), and mostly on the strength of Asian automakers,” said Charlie Chesbrough, a senior economist at Cox Automotive.

The analyst said that Asian brands are expected to account for more than half of US new vehicle sales in the third quarter, for the second quarter in a row, “approaching record-high market share levels.”

At the same time, Detroit’s historic Big Three — General Motors, Ford and FCA/Stellantis (which makes Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge) — will see their market share dwindle to a bit more than 36 per cent, the lowest on record.