Which Cars Will Face the Heaviest Tariffs Under President Trump’s Latest Auto Policy? : Automotive Addicts

President Trump’s latest trade move—a sweeping 25% tariff on all foreign-built vehicles and parts—has sent a transparent message: construct in America, or pay the value. Set to take effect April 3, the tariff applies to each vehicle and part manufactured outside the U.S., no matter whether it’s in-built Canada, Mexico, or overseas. For a lot of automakers, that’s a major hit—and for consumers, it could mean noticeable price hikes on the dealership.

“When you construct your automobile within the U.S., there’s no tariff,” Trump declared. But as modern automobile production often spans continents, the brand new rule exposes certain models and types greater than others. So, which cars will probably be hit hardest?

The Models Facing the Heaviest Tariffs

A few of the hottest and enthusiast-loved vehicles within the U.S. could take the most important tariff hit as a result of extremely low domestic content. These cars are sometimes fully built overseas, with minimal U.S. manufacturing input, making them especially vulnerable under Trump’s recent policy. Amongst essentially the most exposed are the Mazda Miata, Hyundai Elantra N, BMW M3 Sedan, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota’s GR86 and GR Corolla—all of which have just 1% domestic content. These cars rank near the underside of the 2024 American-Made Index, and all are expected to face steep price hikes as a result of the brand new import duties. Inexpensive performance models just like the Miata, GR86, and BRZ, already niche-market cars, could see demand fall if tariffs push their prices out of reach.

Automakers Most Exposed to U.S. Tariffs

Data from Wards Automotive, Barclays, and Axios reveals just how reliant some brands are on foreign production for his or her U.S.-sold vehicles. The less a brand manufactures domestically, the more exposed it’s to Trump’s tariff policy.

Brands like Mazda, BMW, and Volvo—with lower than half of their U.S. lineup built stateside—are positioned to feel the brunt of those tariffs. Japanese automakers, particularly, are highly exposed, with automobile exports making up over 28% of Japan’s shipments to the U.S. in 2024.

GM and the North American Loophole

Even some U.S.-based automakers aren’t within the clear. General Motors, for instance, still builds roughly 40% of its vehicles in Mexico and Canada, making it vulnerable to billions in tariff costs. Analysts at JPMorgan estimate GM could take a $14 billion earnings hit, regardless that the White House has suggested some vehicles built under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) may receive temporary exemptions.

That process, nevertheless, stays undefined. Until then, GM’s reliance on neighboring countries keeps it on shaky ground under the brand new policy.

Cars Best Positioned to Avoid Tariffs

Tesla, with its entire lineup in-built the U.S., tops the list. The Model 3, Model Y, and even the newly launched Cybertruck all exceed 80% domestic content. While Tesla still imports some parts from China—prompting CEO Elon Musk to notice that the corporate is “not unscathed”—it’s higher positioned than almost some other automaker.

Ford’s Mustang GT, especially in automatic trim, also avoids heavy tariffs with an 80% domestic content rating. Honda’s Passport, Jeep’s Wrangler, and Volkswagen’s ID.4 similarly carry high U.S.-made credentials.

Most American-Made Vehicles (By Total Domestic Content)

Tesla Model 3 Performance – 87.5%
Tesla Model Y Long Range – 85%
Tesla Model Y – 85%
Tesla Cybertruck – 82.5%
Tesla Model S – 80%
Tesla Model X – 80%
Ford Mustang GT (Automatic) – 80%
Ford Mustang GT 5.0-liter – 80%
Ford Mustang GT Coupe Premium – 80%
Honda Passport AWD – 76.5%
Honda Passport Trailsport – 76.5%
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon – 76%
Jeep Wrangler Sahara – 76%
Volkswagen ID.4 AWD 82-kWh – 75.5%
Chevrolet Colorado 2.7-liter – 75.5%
GMC Canyon AT4 Crew Cab 4WD – 75.5%
GMC Canyon Denali Crew Cab 4WD – 75.5%
Chevrolet Colorado LT Crew Cab 2WD 2.7-liter – 75.5%
Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 4WD 2.7-liter – 75.5%
Volkswagen ID.4 RWD 96.2-kWh – 74.5%
Volkswagen ID.4 RWD 82-kWh – 74%
Honda Odyssey – 74%
Honda Ridgeline – 74%
Honda Pilot – 74%
Lincoln Corsair – 73.5%

What This Means for Consumers

When you’re searching for a vehicle in the approaching months, expect to see price increases on foreign-built vehicles, especially as current dealer inventories run dry. Dealers have been quietly stockpiling imported models, but that buffer will only last a couple of months. By summer, the total effect of the tariffs is anticipated to ripple through pricing.

Performance cars, luxury models, and budget-friendly imports from Japan and Europe will likely take the most important hit—while American-made vehicles could change into more price-competitive by comparison.

Global Response and Political Fallout

Japan has not taken the news frivolously. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated his country is considering “all options” in response, mentioning that Japan is already amongst the biggest investors in U.S. manufacturing.

“There may be a matter whether it is smart to use uniform tariffs to all countries,” Ishiba told parliament. Meanwhile, shares of Toyota, Nissan, and Honda all fell immediately after the announcement, with Hyundai and Kia also taking a financial hit.

The Bottom Line

President Trump’s tariff policy marks a major shift in America’s automotive trade stance—and for some automakers, it’s a wake-up call. Vehicles built overseas, especially those with little to no domestic content, will face the heaviest financial penalties, resulting in higher prices and potential declines in sales volume.

For brands already invested in American manufacturing, this can be a moment of opportunity. For everybody else, it’s time to make tough decisions about where—and the way—they construct cars for the American market.

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