Tariffs By February, New Year, New Stellantis, Marketplaces Over Brands

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Tuesday of NADA week means our bags are packed for New Orleans! Today, we’re talking about President Trump’s plans for tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, Stellantis’s plan to revive sales and market share, and how consumers prefer to shop on marketplaces rather than brand websites.

Show Notes with links:

• President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his intention to impose 25% tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian imports, citing concerns over drug trafficking and illegal immigration. With a February 1 deadline in mind, the proposed tariffs have set off alarm bells across the automotive industry and beyond.
  • The tariffs would affect $97 billion worth of auto parts and 4 million finished vehicles, increasing average new-car prices by about $3,000.
  • Detroit automakers face major disruption, as Stellantis imports 40% of its U.S. vehicle sales, GM 30%, and Ford 25%.
  • Both Canada and Mexico have threatened retaliatory tariffs against American goods, potentially leading to a broader trade war.
  • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to Florida to emphasize that Canada is not the problem, while Mexico has increased enforcement efforts to appease Trump.
  • Trump also indicated he was still considering a universal tariff on all foreign imports to the U.S., but said he was “not ready for that yet.”

• With the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares, Stellantis is reviving popular models, reintroducing incentives, and refocusing on affordability. The company hopes these changes will reverse plummeting sales and rebuild relationships with dealers and suppliers.
  • Jeep is bringing back the Cherokee-sized SUV, a key nameplate that once made up 17% of the brand’s sales.
  • Dodge is reviving the gas-powered Charger, reversing its shift away from internal combustion engines.
  • Ram is delaying its all-electric pickup, opting instead for a hybrid model with a gas backup.
  • Stellantis’s market share fell from 12.5% to 8% under Tavares, prompting a strategic overhaul.
  • “We need to be sure that in the next 12 months, we see a clear path to go to double-digit [market share],” said Stellantis COO Antonio Filosa.

• A new global study highlights just how dominant online marketplaces have become for shoppers in the U.S., UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands—leaving traditional brand-owned websites in the dust.
  • 63% of consumers prefer marketplaces over shopping directly from brands.
  • 47% use marketplaces for product discovery rather than Google or other search engines.
  • 59% of U.S. shoppers browse marketplaces for fun, but that often leads to impulse buys.
  • 56% admit to making unplanned purchases, while 13% do so often.
  • “Retailers must embrace a multichannel strategy to stay competitive—or risk being left behind. It’s not just about

Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

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