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.
After backing Democratic Kamala Harris’s candidacy in 2024, Shawn Fain shocked many observers by strongly supporting President Donald Trump’s tariffs. But the head of the United Auto Workers Union is now backing down. While he still backs tariffs targeting the auto industry he has dubbed Trump’s broader trade war “reckless.” Headlight.News has more.
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.
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.
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.
Look in the dictionary under “retro” and you’ll find a picture of the Ineos Grenadier. Okay, not really, but it should be. Ineos designers made no attempt to make Grenadier pretty. It’s got a classic look that underscores the SUV’s go-anywhere, any time capabilities. To get a feel for what it could do, Headlight.News headed out to Aspen, Colorado and a perfect timed snowstorm.
In an unexpected move, Jim Rowan is stepping down at CEO of Swedish-based, Chinese-automaker Volvo Cars. He will be replaced by Hakan Samuelsson, who previous served in that role from 2012 to 2022. The move comes at a time when Volvo is aggressively moving to EVs but also faces a variety of tariff issues in the U.S. and Europe. More from Headlight.News.
With thousands gathered in protest at dealers around the world over the weekend, Tesla wrapped up what is expected to be a weak first quarter, the automaker watching sales dwindle as opposition grows to CEO Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration – as well as his increasingly vocal shift to the political far right. Headlight.News has the latest.
President Donald Trump formally announced that 25% tariffs targeting imported autos and auto parts will go into effect on April 3, though final details impacting some Canadian and Mexican imports have yet to be finalized. Trump promised the move will spur significant growth in the domestic auto industry. But many analysts, along with industry officials, warned it could result in a hit to industry sales and earnings, driving many potential customers out of the new vehicle market. Headlight.News has more.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest $21 billion for a variety of U.S.-based projects, including steel production and the expansion of its U.S. automotive production to 1.2 million vehicles annually. That more than doubles what the South Korean has invested since entering the U.S. market in 1986. More from Headlight.News.