Mitsubishi Hikes U.S. Vehicle Prices 2.1%: Impact of Trump Tariffs on the Automotive Industry
Mitsubishi Motors, a Japanese automaker, has announced a 2.1% average price hike for its U.S. vehicles, becoming the latest automaker to pass along cost increases to consumers due to the Trump administration's tariffs. The 25% tariffs on car imports from Japan and nearly all other countries were imposed by President Donald Trump in April, prompting Mitsubishi to suspend deliveries from ports to U.S. dealers. However, the company resumed those deliveries last week. The 2.1% average sales weighted price hike, effective Wednesday, is a direct result of the company's regular and ongoing review of pricing in order to ensure it is in line with segment expectations. Despite the price hike, Mitsubishi's U.S. sales in the first three months of 2025 were up 11% after sales in 2024 were 110,000, up 26% and the brand's best U.S. sales performance since 2019. The company told dealers that the price hikes on suggested retail prices would not impact vehicles in showrooms currently. Mitsubishi also announced that it was making "significant global investments in new vehicles and new technologies," citing updates to the new 2025 Outlander, recent announcements about a new battery EV coming to the U.S., and the study of joint-development with Nissan of a new vehicle to be built in the U.S. in the coming years. Trump has indicated that he may soon hike auto tariffs again, which have already led to price increases for several other automakers including Subaru of America and Ford Motor. Subaru of America hiked prices on several models between $750 and $2,055 depending on the model and trim in response to "current market conditions." Ford Motor in May raised prices on three models produced in Mexico by as much as $2,000, becoming one of the first major automakers to respond to Trump's tariffs. As the automotive industry continues to grapple with the effects of Trump's tariffs, it remains to be seen how other automakers will respond and whether consumers will continue to bear the burden of these increased costs. The picture above shows a Mitsubishi Outlander SUV, one of the models affected by the price hike.
In response to the Trump-era tariffs, Mitsubishi's decision to raise vehicle prices in America by 2.1% highlights both a practical necessity and an ongoing challenge for consumers facing escalating costs caused primarily by external trade policies.
Mitsubishi's 2.1% hike in US vehicle prices exemplifies the direct financial burden inflicted upon consumers by Trump tariffs, consequently contracting America’ s automotive industry.
The recent 2.1% hike in vehicle prices by Mitsubishi due to the Trump tariffs serves as a poignant reminder of how trade conflicts can reshape consumer purchasing power and industry dynamics within global markets, especially within highly integrated sectors such as automotive manufacturing .
