Car Buyers Rush as Tariffs Loom

Car buyers in the U. S. are in a hurry. They are snapping up new and used vehicles faster than ever. This rush is due to fears of upcoming tariffs. These tariffs could make cars more expensive. As a result, the number of cars available for sale is dropping quickly. The supply of new cars has fallen sharply. At the start of March, there were enough new cars to last 91 days. By this month, that number had dropped to just 70 days. This is a big change. Usually, the supply changes by only five to seven days each month. Used cars are also flying off the lots. Their supply has dropped to 39 days, down from 43 days earlier this month. Why the rush? Consumers are trying to beat the tariffs. They want to buy cars before prices go up. This rush is good for car sales. New car sales are up 22% compared to last year. Used car sales are also up by 7% this year. This is surprising. Many experts thought car sales would stay the same this year. But there is a catch. This rush to buy could backfire. Once the tariff-free cars are sold, sales might slow down. Why? Higher production costs and parts could make cars more expensive. This could lead to fewer cars being sold. Some experts think this could mean 2 million fewer cars sold each year in the U. S. and Canada. The automotive industry is watching closely. They know that increased sales are good. But they also know that higher prices could change everything. It's a delicate balance. Consumers want to save money. Car makers want to make money. The tariffs could tip that balance. The rush to buy cars is a mix of smart planning and fear. Consumers are trying to save money. They are buying cars before prices go up. But this rush could lead to problems later. Higher costs could mean fewer cars sold. It's a complex situation. Only time will tell how it all plays out.