U.S. vehicle supply falls amid tariff fear-buying

From CNBC: 2025-04-16 08:28:00

Supplies of new and used vehicles in the U.S. are decreasing rapidly as consumers rush to buy cars before potential price hikes due to tariffs. New vehicle days’ supply dropped from 91 to 70 days in March, while used vehicle days’ supply fell to 39 days. Sales are up 22% compared to last year.

Higher costs from tariffs may result in up to 2 million fewer vehicles sold annually in the U.S. and Canada. Automakers and suppliers are expected to pass cost increases on to consumers, potentially lowering sales. Some companies have halted imports due to tariffs. General Motors has increased production strategically to counteract tariffs.

Automakers like Ford and Stellantis are offering “employee pricing” deals to sell down inventories before tariffs impact prices. Consumers are flocking to dealerships due to concerns about price increases. While sales are up, profits are down for some dealerships. The future of sales will depend on the outcome of tariffs in the next few months.



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