The three U.S. automakers say they are already at a disadvantage to nonunion rivals while labor leaders hope that big gains in negotiations will inspire workers in Southern states to unionize.
The carmaker made less money in the third quarter as it cut car prices to attract buyers amid stronger competition.
The executive chairman of Ford Motor counsels patience as his company negotiates with the United Automobile Workers union, which has shut three of his company’s plants.
Mr. Ford, the executive chairman of Ford Motor, said nonunion automakers would make gains against Michigan automakers because of strikes by the United Automobile Workers union.
The United Automobile Workers union refrained from expanding the strikes at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis but said it could do so at any time.
The company said it had reached the limit of what it could offer to the United Automobile Workers union, which has expanded its strike to Ford’s largest plant.
The new low-emission zone appears to be the most ambitious in Western Europe, and it is set to become law in little more than a year.
The prices of used battery-powered models have fallen sharply, as the supply of cars and trucks has improved.
The United Automobile Workers said on Friday it had secured an important concession from General Motors regarding the contracts of workers at battery factories.
The industry’s transition to battery power is already underway. Republican presidential candidates are pushing to reverse course.