- Donald Trump's proposed tariffs could raise car prices, impacting US and European automakers.
- Tariffs may cost carmakers 17% of annual earnings and lead to credit downgrades, per S&P Global.
- General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, and Volvo could be hit the hardest.
President-elect Donald Trump's new tariff proposals could hit American and European carmakers hard — and could push prices up for your next car.
A Friday note by S&P Global estimates a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, coupled with a 20% tariff on light vehicle imports from the EU and UK, could cost some carmakers 17% of their annual earnings — and as high as over 30% — before factoring in interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
Higher tariffs could hit General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Stellantis, and Volvo hardest, S&P Global said. Meanwhile, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz may be less impacted.
"Donald Trump's re-election will likely intensify the headwinds the global auto industry will face in an already challenging 2025," the authors wrote.
These tariffs could push car prices higher and lead Americans to dig deeper into their wallets for another vehicle. Wells Fargo estimated Wednesday that tariffs could raise the price of cars made in the US by an average of $2,100. For vehicles fully produced in Canada or Mexico, prices in the US may increase between $8,000 and $10,000 higher, Wells Fargo estimated.
Kelley Blue Book data from October shows the average new vehicle transaction price in the US was over $48,600.
Trump announced on Monday that on his first day in office, he would sign an executive order that would put a 25% tariff on all goods from Canada and Mexico and would remain in effect until "drugs, in particular, fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country!"
The US relies heavily on its neighbors for its cars. Commerce Department data reveals that the US imports over 2.3 million cars annually from Mexico. Of all US trade over the first three quarters, Mexico accounts for nearly 16%, while Canada is 14.5%. Business Insider previously detailed the exact car brands and models that could be most heavily impacted.
Trump is also expected to cut the $7,500 tax credit for EV purchases included in President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which would likely reduce EV sales.
Both Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have spoken against the tariff proposals.
Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that Mexico may impose its own tariffs on the US, adding Mexico has been hurt by the smuggling of drugs and weapons from the US.
Trudeau on Friday said the tariffs would have negative impacts on both Canadians and Americans.
"Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business," Trudeau said.