While automakers add up to losses of billions with the energy transition, the stock packages ensured the maintenance of the wealth of their directors
The three Detroit giants, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, ended the year 2025 with billionaire losses and drastic revisions to their electrification plans. However, the negative financial scenario of the automakers did not prevent their main executives from receiving compensation increases, driven by stock bonuses and strategic changes in productivity targets.
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GM recorded a negative impact of US$ 7.9 billion (R$ 39.89 billion) due to the reduction of investments in the electric sector. Still, CEO Mary Barra received US$ 29.9 million (R$ 150.9 million), an increase of 1.4% compared to the previous year. The value was boosted by stock bonuses. Interestingly, she was not the company’s highest-paid: Sterling Anderson, director of products, received $40.3 million (R$203.5 million), an amount inflated by hiring bonuses.
Ford faced its worst loss since 2008, totaling US$ 8.2 billion (R$ 41.41 billion), in addition to write-downs of US$ 19.5 billion (R$ 98.47 billion). Even so, the salary of Jim Farley, the company’s CEO, rose 11%, reaching US$ 27.5 million (R$ 138.87 million). To make this payment possible, the automaker changed the bonus rules: the targets, which were previously restricted to 100% electric vehicles, now include hybrids and other electrified vehicles.
Stellantis posted the group’s largest nominal loss, with losses of $26.2 billion (R$132.31 billion) attributed to excessive investments in electrification. CEO Antonio Filosa, who took office during the year, received US$ 6.37 million (R$ 32.16 million) for the second half of 2025 alone.
