Jobaaj Stories
In a dramatic response to new 25% tariffs on imported vehicles introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, some of the world’s biggest carmakers have decided to temporarily stop exporting cars to the United States.
The Volkswagen Group, which owns luxury brands like Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Skoda, has suspended imports of Audi vehicles that arrived at U.S. ports after April 2. A bulletin sent to Audi dealerships confirmed the pause.
Industry insiders report that dealers currently have about two months’ worth of inventory, but fear supply shortages could soon hit showrooms if the trade tensions continue.
Luxury Brands Hit Hard
Jaguar Land Rover, a major British automaker, has also stopped exports to the U.S. market, calling it a “short-term pause” while they evaluate how to manage the increased cost.
Lotus, another British automaker, informed buyers that it will not ship any more of its Emira sports cars to the U.S. for the time being.
Meanwhile, Nissan has stopped taking orders for its Infiniti SUVs made in Mexico, and Stellantis — the parent company of Jeep and Dodge — has shut down production at one of its Canadian factories.
Ford Takes a Different Stand
Ford Motor Company, which has a large manufacturing base in the U.S., appears to be better positioned. Executive Chairman Bill Ford said the company’s strong American presence gives it a strategic advantage.
“We’ve been through recessions, trade wars, and political changes. We always come out stronger,” Ford said during a media event in Australia.
Lamborghini Faces Setback After Record Year
Luxury supercar brand Lamborghini, which had its best-ever sales year in 2024, says the new tariffs could have a serious impact in 2025. The U.S. is its largest market, with nearly 3,000 units sold last year.
CEO Stephan Winkelmann said Lamborghini is working on strategies to deal with the tariffs — possibly by passing on the extra costs to customers.
“There’s only so much price increase customers can accept before it hurts sales,” he told reporters. “We need to wait and watch how other brands respond.”
🧠 Why It Matters
These sudden decisions by global car brands underline growing uncertainty in the auto industry as trade tensions escalate. With the U.S. being a key market for many of these companies, this could not only affect car prices for consumers but also jobs and investments in the U.S. auto retail and service sectors.
