The introduction of tariffs on Canada and Mexico on the part of the United States risks triggering a Domino effect across the entire automotive sector, with consequences that could also be felt in ItalyThe alarm is raised by Federcarrozzieri, the association of Italian body shops, which estimates an increase in car prices of up to 3.000 euros in 2025.
To suffer theThe biggest impact would be on brands that produce vehicles in North America, including Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Stellantis, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Toyota and Nissan. But the increase in costs would not only affect new cars: essential components, such as brakes and seats, would also become more expensive, with direct repercussions on consumers. And faced with this situation, the European Union has understood the need to intervene, deciding to remodel his plan on the carAmong the measures under discussion is the freezing of fines for three years and an acceleration of the review of the ban on traditional engines planned for 2035.
Cars: Best-selling models to see price increases
The increase in price lists could translate into price increases significant for some of the best-selling models in Italy. For example, the Fiat Panda Hybrid could cost around 1.595 euros more, while for a jeep avenger for petrol the estimated increase is 2.475 euros. Even the Citroen C3, the TToyota Yaris Cross , Peugeot 208 could experience increases of between 1.500 and 2.800 euros. The model that could be most affected by the increase would be the Volkswagen T-Roc petrol, with an estimated price increase of over 3.000 euros.
The introduction of duties risks causing further increase costs, with a direct impact on the pockets of buyers: "in 2024 the average price of a car in Italy stood at 30.096 euros, with an enormous growth of +43% compared to the pre-covid period (21 thousand euros in 2019) – said the president of Federcarrozzieri, Davide Galli – The duties risk causing a new global surge in car price lists, which could reach 2025 billion in XNUMX. increase on average by 2.500/3.000 euros compared to current prices”.
The American market and the repercussions of the supply chain
Il Mexico plays a central role in automobile production destined for the United States, with 3,5 million cars produced each year. Brands such as Volkswagen, Stellantis, Nissan, Mazda and Honda are heavily dependent on this market for their American sales. new tariffs could reduce profits of automakers between 5% and 15%, with Stellantis and Volkswagen among the hardest hit.
The repercussions extend to theentire component supply chain, with increases expected for key elements such as airbags and seat belts (Autoliv), tyres (Michelin and Pirelli), seats (Yanfeng), brakes (Brembo) and components for electric motors (Eurogroup Laminations). According to Federcarrozzieri, the maintenance and repair costs have already increased in 2024: maintenance interventions recorded an increase of 3,3%, reaching 463 euros per year, while the price of spare parts and lubricants rose by 2,5%, with an average cost of 280 euros.
Secondo Bloomberg intelligence, the imposition of duties could cost European car manufacturers up to $5,9 billion in operating profits. Stellantis, for example, risks losses of 3,44 billion dollars, while Volkswagen could suffer a loss of 1,77 billion. bmw e Mercedes Benz, although less exposed, could still record losses of 552 million and 123 million dollars respectively. To mitigate these effects, car manufacturers could decide to move part of the production to the United States, an operation that would involve additional costs of approximately $3.500 per vehicle, for a total of nearly $2,8 billion.
Tariffs: risks for the US market and the impact on consumers
The Anderson Economic Group (AEG) study highlights that the tariffs will lead to an increase in production costs in the United States. For a petrol crossover, the price could increase by 3.500 dollars, while for a Large SUV the increase could reach 9.000 dollars. The small cars could see increases of around $6.200, while electric vehicles could become up to $12.000 more expensive.
With the company average price of new cars in the United States already close to $50.000, these increases could make buying a car even more difficult for consumers, already penalized by high interest rates. "All automakers will be hit by these tariffs in Canada and Mexico," he said John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major American manufacturers, including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Stellantis.
A boon for Asian brands?
The new measures could create a competitive imbalance within the US market. While automakers producing in Canada and Mexico will suffer the duties, Japanese and Korean brands such as Toyota and Hyundai will be able to continue exporting in the United States without additional fees. Ford e Stellantis have already expressed concern about this scenario, warning that it could penalize their sales and favor Asian competitors.
Stellantis has informed its dealers in the United States that new 25% tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada will put the company in a disadvantageous position compared to Korean, Japanese and European brands. “These tariffs will put Stellantis’ flagship brands – Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram – in a competitive disadvantage compared to Korean and Japanese importers, who are not facing similar tariffs,” it said in a communication sent to dealers.
