Vehicle sales in the United States have experienced a significant increase, largely driven by consumer anticipation of the 25% tariffs on auto imports.
Car dealerships in the New York area report a surge in customers rushing to purchase vehicles before President Donald Trump’s tariffs are officially announced on Wednesday, April 3.
According to data from Statista, new vehicle sales in the U.S. reached approximately 1.6 million units in March 2025, marking a 13.6% increase compared to the same month last year and pushing first-quarter sales past 3.9 million units.
Car Dealerships See Spike in Customers
In this context, Tom Maoli, president and CEO of New Jersey-based Celebrity Motor Cars—whose luxury car dealerships include Lexus on Route 10 and Maserati in Morris County—stated that sales have increased by 15% since the impending tariffs became evident.
“If the Trump administration implements the proposed tariffs, it will lead to an additional 10% to 12% increase in car prices and repair costs,” Maoli told U.S. media.
“It’s going to hurt consumers, who have already suffered and have not yet recovered from inflation caused by COVID.”
Maoli added that he didn’t even need to offer discounts, as the tariffs have been a strong enough incentive for buyers, who have been feeling “very anxious and pressured to close the deal.”
Meanwhile, at Ferarro Auto Sales, a used car dealership in Jersey City, about 10 customers typically purchase a car in a given month, according to salesman John Martinez. However, in recent weeks, that number has risen to 15.
The tariff-driven rush to buy vehicles is also limiting supply, Martinez noted.
“My boss’s inventory dropped from 60 to 40 units,” Martinez told The Post. “He’s going to different auctions looking for cars. It’s chaos right now.”
Willie Fawaz, 48, owner of Huntington Auto Mall in Suffolk County, Long Island, told The Post that his sales have increased by 25% to 30% over the past month.
His dealership, which sells used cars from brands such as Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Chevrolet, and Chrysler, recently welcomed a father of twin daughters who wanted to buy two vehicles before the tariffs took effect.
“He was very worried,” Fawaz said. “He wanted to make sure he got the best deals with all available inventory.”
While used car prices are unlikely to rise immediately due to the tariffs, this could change once dealerships start replenishing inventory, according to Fawaz.
The tariffs will not only impact cars but also parts, further driving up the cost of used vehicles, he noted.
“We’re not going to take advantage of pricing,” Fawaz told The Post. “But when we start buying new inventory, prices will rise by about 20% to 25%.”
Challenges Loom Despite Growth
Despite the recent surge in sales, the auto industry faces significant challenges. The implementation of tariffs could slow down sales in the coming months, affecting both manufacturers and consumers. Additionally, the transition to electric vehicles presents challenges in terms of infrastructure and market adaptation.
The industry’s ability to innovate and respond to these dynamics will be crucial to maintaining its competitiveness in the near future.
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