Matthew Mitchell, upon hearing about President Donald Trump’s serious consideration of imposing 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, swiftly decided to purchase a 2019 Toyota Camry to avoid potential price increases due to tariffs. Mitchell’s proactive approach reflects a trend among buyers who expedited their car shopping out of concerns over looming tariff threats.

While current levies have not yet impacted dealer inventories, the uncertainty surrounding the tariffs prompted a surge in interest among car shoppers. Searches on car-shopping website Cars.com notably increased following discussions of tariffs on all imports and the potential imposition of new auto tariffs.

The escalating trade tensions and unpredictability of U.S. tariffs have led to growing economic risks for Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., with heightened expectations of recession and inflation. Consequently, consumers like Darby Madalena in Canada and Philip Hodge in the U.S. have accelerated their vehicle purchases to preempt tariff-related price hikes.

Despite the short-term instability caused by tariff threats, dealers remain optimistic about their inventory levels and anticipate increased showroom traffic. Some dealers have even leveraged the tariff uncertainty as a sales tactic, offering clearance pricing on vehicles in anticipation of potential price hikes.

Overall, the article highlights how the specter of tariffs has influenced consumer behavior in the automotive market, prompting some buyers to expedite their purchases to mitigate potential financial impacts and uncertainties associated with the ongoing trade disputes.