Watching news about a possible United Auto Workers strike might make you wary of buying a new car. It is true that certain models of cars, trucks, or SUVs could have some serious downsides in the long run, according to experts.

There is no single answer to what car shoppers should do. Your level of flexibility depends on the vehicle you’re looking to purchase and the vehicle you’re shopping for. You shouldn’t worry about potential strikes if you’re thinking of purchasing a Toyota, Honda or Hyundai. Because only General Motors, Ford and Stellantis face strikes from the United Auto Workers.

It’s still possible to shop around even if a strike occurs if you’re planning to buy a Ford, Chevrolet or Jeep – brands created by Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, respectively.

There is an emphasis on “might,” however.

Covid-related parts shortages caused manufacturing disruptions for automakers just a few months ago. Car shopping site CoPilot, which closely tracks dealership inventories, says new vehicle inventories are leaner than before past strikes.

Despite their similarities, these three companies differ in some ways. GM has the smallest inventory out of the three, while Stellantis – which makes Jeep, Dodge, and Ram models, among others – has a lot.
“They’ve got a lot of inventory, this might help them get rid of some of that,” Ryan said.

GMC, Chevy, and Cadillac SUVs and trucks, however, already have waiting lists, he said. That’s especially true if you’re looking for something specific.

“The challenge with buying some of those is that you already have to order or wait for what you want,” he added.