How Will Tariffs Impact Car Prices?

Issue 83

Hello! We want to hear from you!

Currently, our newsletter goes out at 7:00 PM CST.

Since we cover the latest happenings in the automotive industry, we’re considering moving to 8:00 AM CST, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Which would you prefer? It would help us greatly if you answered the poll below!

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

• Trump says we don’t need Canadian-built cars, but putting a tariff on them could make things very expensive

• One security flaw revealed Subaru’s tracking abilities and exposed millions

• In the past, we could make one car and ship it worldwide, but after the pandemic, everything changed. It’s time to rethink how we make cars

• Ford leads the year with a massive recall

• Toyota has once again led the world with quality and sales, and we share an article discussing the company’s success

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• 30% of Tesla owners will sell their cars over Musk’s antics

• These are the most annoying things about your cars

• Electric vehicles now last as long as traditional cars

• Cars.com buys Dealer Club in massive expansion

• Apple promised a new Carplay, but no one knows when it will come

RECALLS

On our last issue, recall-wise, we stated that it had been a slow January. Well, things have changed. Here’s what’s happening:

• Ford recalls 273,000 vehicles over critical battery failure

• GM recalls 2000 EVs over this concern

• Stellantis recalls Cherokees, but there may not be a solution. Read more to find out if you’re affected

Video of the week

Check out this hilarious video of mechanics reacting to car theft.

IN THE KNOW

Trump goes after Canadian cars, but it’s not as easy as it seems

Before taking office, President Trump insisted that the US doesn’t need foreign-produced cars from American brands.

Instead, cars should come from the US, and these countries, such as Mexico or Canada, need them more. 

One strategy he frequently references is to impose tariffs on them. Thus, car buyers turn to American-made cars. 

The problem is that the production system is too connected.

Simply putting a tariff on Canadian cars could be costly to the US. The following article explains why. As usual, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Subaru’s critical security flaw exposed millions

Two independent cybersecurity researchers found themselves in front of a massive discovery. Subaru’s Starlink-connected system had a critical security flaw. 

It was one vulnerable spot, but it was enough for hackers to infiltrate the cars and download all the information.

What’s more fascinating is that any hacker, knowing only basic data, could start or stop the car! 

They rushed to inform the Japanese company, which quickly took action.

However, many Subaru owners were left with a bitter taste. Here’s more about this fascinating story. 

One car for the whole world? Not anymore!

The Mazda CX-30 is manufactured in the following plants: Japan, China, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, and Russia.

Although the specifics of each plant change, the general idea prevails: it’s “the same car for the whole world.” This is only one example. 

Automakers popularized this production model as globalization allowed for integrated supply lines.

They’ve done this for decades, but after the pandemic, things changed drastically. 

Many realized the system was fragile, and one situation could alter their entire production.

So, now, automakers are changing their perception about how to produce cars.

More regionalized vehicles may come soon, offering variety and change in an era of monotony. 

Cars still aren’t selling, so there are more great deals on them

Even though 2024 closed positively, it was a rocky road for many automakers, suppliers, and dealers.

That slight increase in sales led many to think that 2025 would be more favorable for sales. 

January isn’t proving to be a positive month for sales.

So, dealers are becoming desperate. What does this mean for potential car buyers?

More deals, but also more caution. Here are some of the better deals you can find and some you should avoid. 

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OUR THOUGHTS

What makes Toyota so good?

Here at Four Wheel Trends, we aim to bring you the most unbiased news, but we admit our bias toward one brand: Toyota.

We love this brand (although the most recent models have been bittersweet). 

It turns out we’re not alone.

Once again, Toyota has led global market sales in many categories, such as reliability and quality. 

So, what makes this company so good?

Here’s an article from Good Car, Bad Car. As usual, let us know your thoughts!

BEST AND WORST

What are the worst years for the Honda HR-V?

The Honda HR-V started off slow.

It wasn’t the company's most popular vehicle, but it has since risen in the subcompact department. 

Since 2015, it has become a reliable option for those who don’t want a Toyota. It has become so popular that its initial sales have doubled in nine years. 

However, some HR-V years aren’t as good as one would think.

Click the link to discover which HR-V years you should avoid and why!

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

Here’s what you need to know about windshield maintenance

It’s okay; you can admit it. We’ll admit it as well. 

We’ll only focus on the windshield if it’s cracked or dirty. That’s it. 

However, did you know that there are crucial steps you can take to ensure your windshield lasts long?

Here’s everything you need to know about windshield maintenance and what you can do to maintain it properly!

Let us know if you know these tips!

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