Fox interviews car dealer about Trump tariffs: “We're afraid. It's going to have a gigantic impact on our business.”
Fox Business correspondent Jeff Flock: “They are worried out here Dana, just that simple. Tariff day one.”
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From the March 4, 2025, edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends
JEFF FLOCK (FOX BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT): If you look at impact of the tariffs, the auto industry would be ground zero. Why? Well, a lot of vehicles are made in either Mexico or Canada, and even the ones that aren't made here like this Jeep Compass, for example, and in fact if you look at it, I think if you look at the sticker you can see this was made in Teluca, Mexico. Sticker price on this $37,000, do the math on the tariffs, this just became a $43,000 Jeep Compass. And again, a lot of vehicles made in Mexico. Take a look at these other vehicles. Stellantis has the Dodge Ram pickup truck, it's not "Dodge Ram" it's just Ram now, that's made in Mexico. In addition Ford, the MACH-E, the Mustang MACH-E, GM's Chevy Silverado. What do the dealers think?
DAVID KELLEHER (DAVID AUTO OWNER): Yeah, you know, we're afraid. It's going to have a gigantic impact on our business.
FLOCK: Why?
KELLEHER: Well, it's simple. Either the manufacturers are going to cease, and wait, and see what happens. And then we're not going to get shipments. So, what's going to happen then? Supply will go down, prices will go up.
FLOCK: Prices go up, Kelly Blue Book says the average vehicle price will increase by $3,000.
KELLEHER: Yeah, I don't see that.
FLOCK: You think it will be more?
KELLEHER: Yeah. If you are looking at a $37,000 car, put 25% on it. So, the next Compass that I get delivered will be 45.
FLOCK: Maybe people will rush out to buy these that have dodged the tariff, what do you think?
KELLEHER: Yeah, there might be some tariff dodging. But again, it affects supply and demand. Then the used car market is going to elevate because the same thing.
FLOCK: They are worried out here Dana, just that simple. Tariff day one.