Weekly Wrap discussion as auto tariffs kick in, industry responds

The auto industry is rapidly responding to tariffs that took effect last week, while subprime lenders continue to navigate risk and credit performance. 

Shares of the three major U.S. automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis — fell sharply at market close on April 3, dropping 5.9%, 4.3%, and 9.4%, respectively, as the tariffs officially took hold. 

In response, Ford and Stellantis announced on April 4 that they will extend employee pricing to all consumers, while Stellantis and GM unveiled major production adjustments aimed at mitigating the expected rise in vehicle prices. 

The looming price hikes also spurred a sales surge in March, as consumers rushed to buy ahead of anticipated increases. 

As automakers react to tariffs, subprime lenders are still searching for a post-pandemic “new normal,” approaching 2025 with cautious optimism. Lenders are working to strike a balance between risk appetite and maintaining credit performance, prompting some to strategically pull back from lending to undocumented borrowers. 

In this episode of “Weekly Wrap,” Auto Finance News Senior Associate Editor James Van Bramer and Associate Editor Aidan Bush unpack the initial fallout from the new tariffs and preview what’s ahead as the industry braces for long-term impacts.