Ford-150 pickup trucks are displayed for sale at a dealership on March 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Ford-150 pickup trucks are displayed for sale at a dealership on March 24, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Americans are rushing to car dealerships as they worry about what President Trump’s tariffs will do to car prices in the coming months. New vehicle sales have been increasing steadily this year, and they jumped in March, according to market research firm Cox Automotive. That’s the month when President Trump announced upcoming auto tariffs.
Shoppers are racing to buy cars this spring because they believe that prices are going to go up in the summer and fall. And experts say if tariffs remain in place, that’s likely.
It’s a gamble President Trump is making – with the hope his tariff strategy will lead domestic car companies to make more vehicles at home.
NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly talks with Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley, who was at Ford’s Kentucky truck plant, about Trump’s tariffs, and Ford’s future.
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This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse, with audio engineering by Simon-Laslo Janssen. It was edited by John Ketchum and Sarah Handel, with help from Camila Domonoske. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.