Earlier this week: Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports. UAW Shawn Fain backs Trump’s auto tariffs to protect American jobs. The EPA announces plans to reassess Biden-era emissions rules. General Motors resubmitted an application to open a new industrial bank. Toyota extends production halt following a fatal explosion that killed one and injured two workers. Auto credit access improved in February across most lending channels. Affordability remains a challenge as new vehicle prices rise.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
Trump imposes 25% tariff on all steel, aluminum imports
Effective March 12, the United States will impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports under the second round of President Donald Trump’s trade policy. Canada and Mexico, two of the U.S.’s largest trade partners, were previously granted full exemptions. However, these exemptions have expired and the base aluminum tariff has risen to 25%. Read More
UAW Shawn Fain backs Trump’s auto tariffs to protect American jobs
United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain has announced his support of President Donald Trump’s newly imposed North American auto tariffs, citing them as a necessary step to address long-standing job losses in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Speaking Sunday on ABC News’ This Week, Fain described tariffs as a way to counteract decades of job outsourcing, particularly since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1992. Read More
EPA moves to roll back Biden administration’s emissions rules, impacting EV and fuel standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to reconsider vehicle emissions regulations set by the Biden administration, potentially reversing rules that push automakers to increase electric vehicle (EV) production. This move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to undo policies aimed at accelerating EV adoption. Read More
GM resubmits industrial bank application amid regulatory concerns
General Motors (GM) has once again applied to establish an industrial bank, resubmitting its application with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) in late January. The automaker’s previous attempts failed, with regulators citing concerns over the company’s financial history. During the 2008 financial crisis, a bank that GM previously owned nearly collapsed, requiring a $17.2 billion taxpayer-funded bailout. Read More
Toyota extends production halt following fatal supplier incident
Toyota has temporarily suspended production at multiple facilities following a fatal explosion at a key supplier’s plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The March 6 blast at Chuo Spring’s Fujioka plant killed one worker and injured two others, disrupting the supply chain for critical suspension components. Toyota initially planned to suspend operations for the morning shift on March 10 but extended the pause into the afternoon and the following day’s first shift. The company will reassess its operations on March 11 to determine when production can resume. Read More
Auto credit access improves in February, reaching highest level since 2022
In February 2025, the Dealertrack Credit Availability Index revealed an overall improvement in auto credit access, with gains across most lending channels. While new-vehicle loans saw slight tightening, used-vehicle financing—particularly from franchised dealers—experienced the most significant loosening. The All-Loans Index increased from 95.4 in January to 95.9, marking a 3.0% year-over-year rise and reaching its highest level since December 2022. Read More
New vehicle prices rise slightly in February as EV incentives hit record high
According to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book, new vehicle prices remained elevated in February, with the average transaction price (ATP) reaching $48,039, a 1.0% increase year over year. However, prices declined by 1.3% from January as incentives continued to rise. According to Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating, affordability remains a challenge, with ATPs up 25% since February 2020. Meanwhile, incentives have declined 13% over the same period, and higher auto loan rates continue to strain household budgets. Read More
Michael Dunne on tariffs, Chinese automakers, and U.S. market challenges
In the latest episode of Inside Automotive, Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, joins us to discuss the shifting landscape of automotive tariffs, the U.S. auto market’s competitive challenges, and the rise of Chinese automakers. Dunne illustrates how the U.S. is facing an evolving global competition from China, especially as the U.S. market grapples with tariffs and affordability concerns. Watch the full segment here.
How Cheryl Thompson and CADIA advance diversity in automotive
In the automotive industry, DEI efforts continue to face both progress and challenges. Cheryl Thompson, founder and CEO of the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion, and Advancement (CADIA), is at the forefront of driving meaningful change. In today’s episode of Diversity in Automotive, she shares insights on the state of diversity in automotive, the biggest barriers facing underrepresented groups, and how companies can navigate evolving legal landscapes. Watch the full segment here.
Cars Commerce acquires DealerClub to expand wholesale marketplace for dealers
In a move aimed at reshaping the wholesale automotive market, Cars Commerce has announced the acquisition of DealerClub, a digital platform designed to streamline dealer-to-dealer transactions. Brian Kramer, Executive Vice President of Cars Commerce, and Joe Neiman, President of DealerClub, join us on the latest episode of Inside Automotive to discuss how the acquisition will enhance efficiencies for dealers and further integrate with Cars Commerce’s existing tools like AccuTrade. Watch the full segment here.
