Car prices will surge by thousands of dollars because of Trump’s tariffs. It’ll happen before you expect it

Get ready to pay more for your next car. Auto prices in the United States will start to rise very soon – perhaps within the next few weeks.

Get ready to pay more for your next car. Auto prices in the United States will start to rise very soon – perhaps within the next few weeks. That’s because President Donald Trump once again announced plans for 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts that will go into effect April 3, a move that will raise the cost of producing all cars sold in the United States – both imports and those built in American factories – by thousands of dollars each. Those additional costs will rapidly lift car prices if the tariffs go into effect. Previous plans for tariffs had been paused or postponed twice. “It is going to be expensive,” said Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds.com. He said it will be an unpleasant sticker shock that could come much sooner than most people realize, even before some of the cars that will now cost more to produce arrive at their local dealerships. “It’s too soon to tell how much,” he said. “But it’ll be a couple of thousands of dollars, if not more.” Automakers won’t necessarily raise their wholesale prices, which are paid by dealers, by the full cost of the tariffs, said Drury. But there are other way to pass on the costs to car buyers.