ICYMI: Trump cuts Japan auto tariffs to 15%, boosting U.S. inventory and partnerships. EPA moves to roll back emissions rules, easing pressure on gas vehicle production. Stellantis posts $2.7B loss amid tariffs and weak demand. GM profits fall 35% despite strong truck and EV sales. Tariffs hit Hyundai and Kia, forcing cost cuts and shipment shifts.
Here’s a closer look at these top stories and more headlines to stay on top of this week’s automotive industry news.
1. Trump, Japan reach tariff deal in breakthrough trade agreement
President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with Japan that lowers U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, down from the previously threatened 25% rate. The deal, part of Trump’s ongoing global tariff campaign, also includes a commitment from Japan to invest $550 billion in the United States, although the structure of that investment remains unclear. The move is seen as a massive shift in U.S.-Japan trade relations and arrives ahead of an August 1 deadline Trump set for securing foreign trade agreements. Read More
2. EPA may revoke emissions threat finding, reshaping climate rules
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing a proposal to reverse its 2009 “endangerment finding,” a landmark scientific and legal determination that greenhouse gas emissions pose a threat to public health. This reversal would modify the core legal authority underpinning major climate regulations across transportation, energy, and industrial sectors. The proposal, submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget on June 30, is expected to be released for public comment after interagency review. Read More
3. Stellantis posts $2.7 billion loss amid weak demand, tariffs
Stellantis reported a preliminary net loss of €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) for the first half of 2025, driven by weak North American sales, program cancellations, and a €300 million tariff hit under President Trump’s new trade policies. The automaker also saw its global shipments fall 6% year over year in the second quarter, with a steep 25% drop in North America. Jeep and Ram, however, posted a 13% combined sales growth, buoying retail performance. Read More
4. GM profits fall 35% in Q2 despite strong U.S. sales
General Motors reported a 34.5% decline in second-quarter 2025 net income to $1.9 billion, primarily due to tariffs, warranty costs, and EV inventory adjustments. Total revenue for the quarter came in at $47.1 billion, down slightly from the same period last year, while adjusted operating income (EBIT-adjusted) dropped to $3.0 billion, compared to $4.4 billion in Q2 2024. Read More
5. Hyundai reports 16% drop in profit amid US tariff impact
Hyundai Motor reported a drop in second-quarter operating profits on Thursday. The South Korean carmaker, along with its sister company Kia, is the world’s third-largest automaker in terms of sales volume. However, the impact of U.S. tariffs cost the company $606.37 million, and the automaker’s operating profit dropped by 16% year-over-year to $2.64 billion. The automaker anticipates a deeper decline in the third quarter if South Korea and the U.S. fail to strike a more favorable trade deal. Read More
Next Week: Exclusive Interviews You Can’t Miss
SBA Kelly Loeffler champions tax reform and deregulation to aid small business recovery
With a new administration in place, priorities for the Small Business Administration (SBA) are shifting to better support Main Street entrepreneurs. In this upcoming episode of Inside Automotive, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler joins us to discuss the changing landscape for small businesses, recent legislative wins, and the path forward under President Donald Trump’s administration.
How Chuck Turck drives customer experience and technician excellence at Atlanta Perimeter
In this upcoming episode of Service Drive, we’re diving into the luxury side. Today, we’re joined by Chuck Turck, Service Director of Porsche Atlanta Perimeter, to explore what’s fueling success in the service lane. From advanced technician certification programs and EV repairs challenges to a Ritz-Carlton-level customer experience and growing use of AI, Turck offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the keys to long-term retention, operational efficiency, and brand loyalty.
CDK’s Kathy Gilbert on DEI, leadership, and the power of representation
As the conversation around workplace diversity, equity and inclusion continues to evolve, one leader is working to ensure lasting progress in the auto industry. In this upcoming episode of Diversity in Automotive, Kathy Gilbert, head of DEI Strategy and Partnerships at CDK Global and founding board member of Women in Automotive, discusses the work she’s doing to transform the automotive industry.
