10:26 20-09-2025

Tariffs and supplier stress rattle the auto market in 2025

The auto industry is wrestling with heavy supply-chain turbulence. According to RapidRatings, about 20% of parts suppliers are under financial strain, with a quarter already cutting investment or headcount and another third preparing to follow. The pain is most acute around Detroit, where layoffs and plant closures are already surfacing. Pressure at the tier level rarely stays contained; when those links weaken, production schedules start to fray.

Tariffs from the Trump administration are compounding the problem. In July 2025, import duties on auto components from Canada and Mexico reached $276.1 million—seven times January’s tally. Those bills are steadily being passed along to automakers and, in turn, to consumers. Anderson Economic Group estimates prices could rise by up to 20%, which would flow straight into the window stickers of 2025 vehicles. Taken together, higher costs and supply friction point to a tougher year ahead for buyers and brands alike.