The Automakers Most Exposed To U.S. Tariffs
U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico have officially been enacted. The automotive industry is preparing for major shockwaves to reverberate through every kernal of the supply chain, raising vehicle prices and disrupting longstanding relationships.
Many major automakers rely on production facilities in Canada and Mexico for vehicle exports to the U.S. The tariffs could significantly increase costs, impacting some of the most popular models on American roads.
- BMW – Produces the 3 Series, 2 Series Coupe, and M2 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, with most units exported to the U.S.
- Ford – Operates three plants in Mexico and exported nearly 196,000 vehicles to North America in the first half of 2024, with 90% headed for the U.S.
- General Motors – Imported approximately 750,000 vehicles from Canada and Mexico in 2024, including the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and midsize SUVs. GM's Mexican plants also produce new EVs.
- Honda – Sends 80% of its Mexican production to the U.S. and has warned it may need to shift production if permanent tariffs are imposed.
- Kia – Manufactures vehicles in Mexico, including some Santa Fe SUVs for Hyundai, for U.S. export.
- Mazda – Exported about 120,000 vehicles from Mexico to the U.S. in 2023 and may reconsider further investment if tariffs are enacted.
- Nissan – Produced nearly 505,000 vehicles in Mexico in the first nine months of 2024, including the Sentra, Versa, and Kicks for the U.S. market.
- Stellantis – Builds Ram pickups, vans, and the Jeep Compass in Mexico, with additional production facilities in Canada for Chrysler and Jeep models.
- Toyota – Produces the Tacoma pickup truck at two plants in Mexico, with over 230,000 sold in the U.S. in 2023, accounting for 10% of total Toyota sales.
- Volkswagen – Manufactured nearly 350,000 vehicles in Puebla, Mexico, in 2023, including the Jetta, Tiguan, and Taos, all exported to the U.S. The company is also building a battery gigafactory in Ontario, Canada, set to begin production in 2027.
- Audi – Operates a plant in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico, where it builds the Q5. In the first half of 2024, nearly 40,000 units were shipped to the U.S.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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It would be interesting to know percentages for each maker - what percent of their total number of units do the numbers above represent?
This stupidity translates to fewer units sold per dealer, therefore fewer sales personnel needed as well as fewer mechanics to maintain vehicles and increased maintenance costs and that's only under the dealership's roof. Outside, the cost of affected repair parts will increase and the public will drive less, affecting gasoline sales. All that translates to less taxes being paid and less public services. In the mean time, it'll take years to relocate the tariff affected jobs to the source of consumption. And the economic pain intensifies.