As the U.S. auto industry navigates shifting electric vehicle policies, global trade battles, and political polarization, former AutoNation executive and founder of MGC2 Marketing Marc Cannon is sounding the alarm. In a wide-ranging conversation on the latest episode of Inside Automotive, Cannon called out the instability created by President Trump’s tariff actions, the partisan flip on EV support, and the urgent need for long-term thinking from Washington lawmakers. His message to the industry and policymakers: stop playing politics and start building a sustainable future.
First, Cannon reflects on how dramatically the EV and trade landscape has shifted since Trump returned to office. Most notably, Trump’s recent move to impose a 104% tariff on Chinese EVs—and his broader strategy of trade escalation—could reshape the American auto market in ways that concern dealers and retailers alike.
“He’s taking this thing on in a big way,” Cannon said of the Trump administration. “Not only are we not giving them a 90-day reprieve here, but we’re going to increase China’s tariff.”
Cannon warned that such aggressive moves create an atmosphere of uncertainty for manufacturers, retailers, and workers. He pointed to reports that Stellantis could cut up to 900 jobs as a potential early warning sign. He also questioned how the U.S. can seriously bring production back home when labor shortages and project timelines make it unrealistic to build and staff plants quickly.
The conversation then turned personal when Cannon reflected on the broader dysfunction in Washington and its impact on the industry. He criticized both political parties for prioritizing reelection over results, arguing that few in Congress have the courage to stand up and lead—unless, like Senator Mitch McConnell, they’re already on their way out.
Still, Cannon praised a few standout leaders. He highlighted Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska for voting independently and applauded newly elected Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno—a former auto dealer—for bringing real-world experience to Capitol Hill. While Cannon said Moreno seems optimistic about reshoring jobs and rebalancing trade, he also made it clear that the reality will take years to play out.
He also addressed the irony of Trump supporting Tesla—after previously criticizing EVs—while also pulling back on infrastructure and incentives. “He’s helping sell Teslas, but he doesn’t want to build the infrastructure or give the credit. It’s chaos.”
The conversation concluded with some light-hearted remarks, including a shout-out to industry titan Roger Penske, who recently appeared with Trump at the White House. Cannon speculated that Penske—owner of 300 dealerships—may have used the moment to voice concerns over tariffs. And in classic Cannon style, he ended with a tongue-in-cheek presidential endorsement.
“And by the way, it’s a changing market. And if you don’t have a consistent program, and you don’t have consistency, and you operate in chaos, how are you going to build a plant?" – Marc Cannon
