Tariff fears drive record March sales for most OEMs—but April remains uncertain

March was a massive month for auto sales—with several OEMs breaking records as a wave of buyers rushed to lock in pre-tariff deals.

What we know: March is typically a solid month for car sales. And that’s thanks to tax refunds, warmer weather, and OEMs eyeing quarter-end targets.

Add tariff fears and looming price hikes, and buyers this year had even more reasons to get out and strike a deal—and the data shows they did just that.

According to yesterday’s sales reports:

• Subaru’s total sales soared 45% from February and 16.6% from last year to 71,478 units in March. 

• The result? The brand’s best single-month of sales since August 2019 (70,039 units) and its 32nd straight month of MoM sales increases.
  

• Similarly, Hyundai’s total sales climbed 40.3% from February and 13% from March 2024 at 87,019 units. 

• Last month was Hyundai’s best March yet and its second-best total sales month—with sales of hybrid and EV models higher YoY by 72% and 38%, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mazda’s momentum was equally steady as sales rose 29% from February and 16.1% from a year ago to 43,097 units in March, marking its best single-month of sales.

Keeping the pace—reports indicate that sales at Kia, Honda, Toyota, Ford, and GM spiked in March.

• Kia had its best March yet with sales rising 24.1% from February and 13.1% from last year to 78,540—driven in part by the highest sales record to date for the Carnival, Sportage, Telluride, K4 models.
  

• Honda’s March sales totaled 135,040 units—up 13.9% YoY for the best month since June 2021. Acura sales landed at 12,752 units in March—up 6.6% from 2024—which pushed total American Honda sales up 13.2% YoY to 147,792 vehicles.
  

• At Toyota Motor North America, total sales reached 231,335 units in March—up 31.9% from February and 7.7% from a year prior. 
  

• Ford said retail sales were up 5% in Q1, held up by a 19% surge in retail sales in March.
  

• Sticking with Q1—GM said U.S. sales soared 17% YoY to 693,363 units, with double-digit growth across every brand.
  

• Stellantis’ U.S. sales dropped by 12% in the first quarter compared to last year, but retail sales were steady—suggesting declines in fleet customers and sales to rental car companies.

Worth noting: Tesla hasn’t released its quarterly report yet—and some analysts are anticipating a sales decline for the brand. 

Looking ahead: Even with most automakers posting some of the strongest March sales ever—the coming months are truly up in the air. Healthy new vehicle inventory could act as a buffer against tariff headwinds for dealers looking to sport equally strong sales in April—but with President Trump’s 25% tax on imported vehicles in effect, pricing, demand, and strategies remain on an uncertain path.

Become an automotive insider in just 5 minutes.

Get the weekly email that delivers transparent insights into the car market.

Join 90,000+ others now, it's free:

If you’re tired of unreliable vehicle transport services and frustrated with delayed deliveries, you need to read this…

CRC Transport LLC is the direct carrier that delivers on-time, reliable, and secure vehicle transport nationwide.

With a massive fleet of 320 trucks, there’s no job too big or detailed that we can’t accomplish on time. Every time.

So whether you need regular transport services or are just looking to optimize costs, CRC Transport is your go-to for experience and capability when it comes to moving cars.

Get exclusive volume discounts as a CDG newsletter subscriber! Click the link below to meet your next car shipping partner.