NEW: Get Updates by Email

Joseph Szczesny

Higher Tariffs, Plummeting Consumer Confidence, Threaten to Crash Auto Sales

Higher Tariffs, Plummeting Consumer Confidence, Threaten to Crash Auto Sales

The outlook for the automotive industry is starting to look increasingly dim, automakers frantically searching for a way to respond to the Trump administration’s broad tariff on imported autos and auto parts. The question is whether to raise prices and risk a sharp slump in sales or absorb tariffs and crash earnings.

Frantic Automakers Search for Trump Tariff Strategies

Frantic Automakers Search for Trump Tariff Strategies

Tariffs continue to dominate the auto industry, manufacturers around the world struggling to figure out formulas that will minimize the impact on consumers – and U.S. sales – while avoiding budget-busting new costs that could send their balance sheets deep into the red. Here are some of the latest developments.

Mexican Auto Plants Keep Humming Despite Trump Tariffs

Mexican Auto Plants Keep Humming Despite Trump Tariffs

In a surprise twist, Trump’s tariff war has so far left Mexican auto plants humming despite promises to blue-collar workers in the U.S. For now, at least, the USMCA trade agreement remains in force along the Southern border. But the tariffs have already had a negative impact on autoworkers Stellantis announcing layoffs at several of its plants.

U.S. Car Sales Soar in March as Buyers Raced to Beat Trump Tariffs

U.S. Car Sales Soar in March as Buyers Raced to Beat Trump Tariffs

Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. climbed sharply during March as buyers rushed to get in their orders before the tariffs clamp down on the automotive trade. The threat of a recession is also expected to weigh on an industry sensitive to economic trends going into April.

Tesla Founder Straubel High on the List as Disgruntled Investors Demand Automaker Replace Musk

Tesla Founder Straubel High on the List as Disgruntled Investors Demand Automaker Replace Musk

A growing number of investors, including some of Tesla’s traditional bulls, are pressing the automaker to replace CEO Elon Musk despite the rebound in the company’s stock this week. That has led to growing speculation over who might come in to replace him, with founder and former tech chief J.R. Straubel in the spotlight. Headlight.News has more.

March U.S. Auto Sales Sputter Along

March U.S. Auto Sales Sputter Along

Sales of new vehicles held steady in February as Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, Subaru, Mazda and Honda all reported modest sales increases. But two of the largest automakers to report for the month, Toyota and Ford, delivered disappointing results. And Tesla’s numbers continued to show the impact of growing resistance to CEO Elon Musk and his role in the Trump administration. Headlight.News has more.