BMW responds to tariff heat, March car sales spike, Sen. Moreno introduces USA CAR Act

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Welcome to The Weekly, your go-to roundup of the top five auto industry headlines of the week. Let’s dive in.

1. BMW fires back at White House trade advisor Peter Navarro

BMW is pushing back after a pointed critique from one of President Trump’s top trade advisors.

The trigger?

Peter Navarro claimed BMW’s South Carolina plant is “bad” for the U.S. economy on CNBC. And the comment that didn’t go unanswered.

BMW pointed to over $10B in exports last year, 11,000 U.S. jobs, and a plant that’s now the top auto exporter by value in the country.

Big picture: As disputes over trade policy heat up, automakers are drawing a line—reminding Washington that global companies can still have deep roots in America.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

Speaking of American roots…

2. Ford CEO on tariffs: ‘This is a moment for Ford to differentiate itself’

Ford is leaning into the moment—using tariff uncertainty to stand out.

Here’s the pitch:

Its new “From America, For America” campaign gives every U.S. customer employee pricing on a wide range of 2024 and 2025 Ford and Lincoln models, now through June 2.

The goal?

Make Ford’s American roots clear—and give buyers a reason to act as tariff concerns grow.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

As many automakers try to work out their next moves—consumers aren’t hesitating…

3. Pre-tariff ‘pull-ahead demand’ adds extra 153,000 vehicle sales in March

The end of March triggered a mad dash to dealerships—and it wasn’t just about tax refunds.

According to Cloud Theory:

• New vehicle sales jumped 38% from February to March, with 153,000 sales driven by buyers racing to beat the new 25% auto tariffs.

• Refund season played a role—but the real driver was fear of paying more for the same car just weeks later.

• But Analysts warn that surge could come at a cost—pull-ahead demand now might lead to softer months ahead.

The takeaway: March gave the industry a shot of adrenaline—but with tariffs now in place, that sugar high rush not last.

(Go deeper: 2 min. read)

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4. March new car prices stay flat, but sub-$30K models are fading

Car prices haven’t jumped yet—but as low-cost inventory dries up and tariffs settle in, affordable options could be even harder to find.

According to Kelley Blue Book:

The average transaction price held at $47,462, with incentives steady month over month and slightly up from last year.

The issue?

Only 26 models were priced under $30,000, and many of those are highly exposed to the new 25% tariffs.

The takeaway: Prices may look stable now—but for many entry-level buyers, affordability is already starting to slip.

(Go deeper: 4 min. read)

But one lawmaker says the answer to this problem might be in the tax code…

5. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno proposes tax deduction for auto loan interest

A new auto loan tax break is making waves on Capitol Hill—and it’s coming from a familiar face in the car world.

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), a former auto dealer, just introduced the USA CAR Act—a bill that would let buyers of U.S.-assembled vehicles deduct interest on qualifying car loans.

The fine print: The deduction would apply to loans issued after January 1, 2025, and only for vehicles built in the U.S.

The catch?

It’s not yet clear if the break will be broadly available—or limited to those who itemize their taxes.

(Go deeper: 3 min. read)

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• The Hyundai Ioniq 6 gets a fresh look for 2026.

• EV adoption edges upward as legacy automakers gain share.

• UAW Pres. backs auto tariffs but calls broader trade measures “reckless.”

• In-person auto shows still move metal—even in a digital age.

• Q1 vehicle recall count drops to 10-year low.

That’s a wrap for now – make sure you’re following along on X, LinkedIn and IG for more real-time updates.

Thanks for reading. Hit reply and let me know if you found The Weekly valuable or have any feedback. I’ll see you next weekend.

— CDG

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