Trump’s tariffs are beginning to unnerve consumers as they eye purchasing new vehicles, forcing some buyers to jump off the fence and race into dealerships, while others have decided to wait out the chaos. Headlight.News has more.
trade
Trump Signals U-Turn on Chinese Tariffs – Potentially Big News for Auto Industry
President Trump signaled tariffs on Chinese imports would “come down substantially,” though no specifics have yet been released by the White House. The news had stock markets rallying and automakers hoping this could reduce their own burden, analysts previously warning that tariffs could cost the U.S. industry up to 2 million sales this year. But manufacturers are still facing big hits from tariffs on Mexican and Canadian-made autos and auto parts, reports Headlight.News.
Motorists Becoming More Comfortable With EVs – Though Growth Has Slowed
Motorists around the world are becoming increasingly comfortable with purchasing and owning EVs, according to a new study, though Americans lag well behind their counterparts in Europe and, in particular, China. Credit the longer range, faster charging and lower costs of newer EV models, consumers told McKinsey & Co. Headlight.News has more.
Ford Warns Dealers Tariff Price Hikes are Coming
As buyers snap up unsold vehicles, Ford cautions dealers prices will be going up as the result of the new Trump auto tariffs. And other manufacturers say they likely will follow. More from Headlight.News.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Grows Larger, Goes Further – And Adds Go-Anywhere XRT Pro Package
Hyundai’s flagship Palisade SUV gets a makeover for 2026 and the three-row SUV not only grows bigger but adds a new hybrid option that can log more than 600 miles between fill-ups. For those who don’t want to stick to the pavement, meanwhile, there’s the brand’s first new XRT Pro package. Headlight.News has more.
Tariffs Be Damned, Cupra Confirms its Coming to America
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.
GM, Ford Caught in Middle As U.S., China Trade Battle Heats Up
President Trump’s tariff battle is putting both General Motors and Ford Motor Co. luxury plans under a cloud. Both the U.S. and China have heated up tariffs, even while the president paused other portions of his trade plan.
Trump Pauses Most Tariffs – But Leaves Those Impacting Autos in Place
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.
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.
Mazda Likely to Spread Tariff Pain – But CFO Still Sees Sales Taking Big Hit
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.
UAW President Backtracks on Trump Tariffs
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.
Jaguar Land Rover Will “Pause” U.S. Exports to Develop Tariff Plan
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.