Despite new Trump tariffs targeting imported autos and auto parts, Volkswagen intends to move ahead with plans to launch the sport Cupra brand in the U.S., company officials confirmed during a media event in Miami. But the move across the Atlantic may not happen until the very end of the decade – and Cupra may wind up moving at least some production to the U.S. by then, Headlight.News reports.
After nearly 25 years of telling us “It’s coming,” Volkswagen finally began stocking U.S. showrooms with the contemporary version of the iconic Volkswagen T Series bus. And after a more than two decade wait, we spent a week in it. Check out the review at Headlight.News.
At least a half-dozen brands will be making news at this week’s New York International Auto Show, products such as the next-generation Subaru Outback and Kia EV4 among the mix. We may even get a few surprises. Here’s what we already know is on the list of debuts.
President Donald Trump paused for 90 days most of the tariffs that went into effect earlier this month targeting virtually all U.S. trade partners. But he left in place sectoral tariffs, notably including those imparting import autos and auto parts, as well as foreign-made steel and aluminum. He also increased tariffs on countries, such as China, that responded to his original order with increased trade sanctions of their own. Headlight.News has more.
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.
Mazda can’t “swallow” the tariffs it will face under Pres. Donald Trump’s new trade sanctions. While plans have yet to be finalized, it is likely to spread tariffs costs out in a way that will minimize the impact on “price-sensitive” products, such as its entry line, the CX-30, global CFO Jeff Guyton said. Even then, the automaker expects to take a big hit to sales, he forecast. Here’s more of the details.
Britain’s Jaguar Land Rover will “pause” vehicle shipments to the U.S. in the wake of Pres. Donald Trump’s broad tariff plans on imported autos and auto parts. The automaker said it is working out a plan “to address the new trading terms.” JLR’s announcement follows moves by brands including Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen to adjust U.S. market strategies as the industry faces a substantial increase in vehicle prices. Headlight.News has the latest.
President Donald Trump’s press conference laying out the remainder of his tariff policy revealed automakers would not be facing any additional tariffs beyond the 25% on vehicles and parts crossing into the U.S. Volkswagen is adding an “import fee” to vehicles hit by the tariffs while Ford is offering discounts to try to improve affordability. Headlight.News tracks down how other carmakers are dealing with the problem.
Tesla shareholders breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday morning, word leaking out of the White House suggesting CEO Elon Musk will soon give up his controversial role as the head of the Trump administration’s Dept. of Government Efficiency. Then, Tesla released its first-quarter sales numbers, global deliveries falling three times further than what Wall Street anticipated. Its stock rebound in reverse, a growing number of investors and analysts now wonder whether Tesla and its CEO can recover from the hit they’ve taken.
April 2, says Pres. Donald Trump, is “Liberation Day,” claiming his new tariffs will free the U.S. from its reliance on foreign-made goods. But U.S. car buyers may see things in a very different light. Virtually all vehicles, even those assembled in the States, will see price hikes. And a number of automakers, from mainstream brands like Chevrolet, to high-line marques such as Mercedes-Benz, are weighing the prospects of pulling entry models off of the American market. More from Headlight.News.
President Donald Trump’s new tariffs threaten to shake up the auto industry, threatening to add thousands of dollars to the cost of even U.S.-made vehicles. For now, though, BMW will give buyers a break, the automaker saying it will absorb the added tariff costs on vehicles it imports from Mexico. Whether BMW can maintain that strategy – and whether other manufacturers will follow – is unclear.
Ford plans to invest up to $4.8 billion in its German operations, hoping to kick start is flagging European sales. The company’s German business is in the midst of a significant transformation, focused on cutting costs and becoming more competitive. Headlight.News has details.