Porsche dealerships across the U.S. have faced weeks without new vehicle shipments as the automaker navigates the impact of a 25% auto import tariff implemented by the Trump administration earlier this month. According to dealers, Porsche has allegedly been holding vehicles at U.S. ports, delaying their customs clearance to avoid triggering the costly new duties.
Although a Porsche spokesperson recently stated that vehicles are now being released from ports, multiple retailers told Automotive News that inventory remains constrained. Some anticipate that deliveries could resume in May, depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and the European Union.
The situation is particularly challenging for Porsche, as every model sold in the U.S. is imported from Europe, leaving the brand fully exposed to the tariffs. While President Trump paused several new tariffs on April 9, automotive imports continue to be taxed under the April 3 order. Dealers report that Porsche has yet to provide a clear timeline for the resumption of regular shipments of stock and customer-ordered vehicles.
In the meantime, Porsche dealers are relying on existing inventory to sustain operations through at least the end of May. Executives previously noted that the company shipped additional vehicles to the U.S. ahead of the April 3 deadline and kept prices stable for orders placed in March. This strategic move helped boost Porsche’s first-quarter sales by 40.6% compared to the prior year and 8.1% over its previous Q1 record set in 2023.
To address the added costs, Porsche is expected to itemize a separate tariff surcharge on window stickers rather than adjusting the vehicles’ suggested retail prices, a decision intended to minimize disruption at the dealership level. However, some retail employees suggest that final details remain unclear, leaving dealers and buyers in a holding pattern.
Update (Tuesday, April 29): A Porsche representative contacted CBT News to clarify the situation. “As you might imagine, we are challenging this article,” the spokesperson stated in an email. Cars are being shipped from our ports to dealers. In fact, over 5,000 cars have been shipped to dealers so far this month.”
