Ahead of Trump’s auto tariffs, are U.S. consumers rushing to buy cars? [Video]

President Trump’s forthcoming tariffs on automobiles threaten to make cars more expensive, and some consumers are responding by heading to dealerships before the levies go into effect.

Mr. Trump last week announced a 25% tariff rate on vehicles and auto parts imported into the U.S., which are set to go into effect April 2. 

The levies will result in higher costs for auto manufacturers, which are expected to pass on at least some of the extra expense to consumers. With car prices expected to rise under the tariffs, experts are advising shoppers in the market for new vehicles to buy them now, in order to avoid paying thousands of dollars more under the auto tariffs.

“Vehicles on lots and the inventory that exists today has not been impacted by tariffs, so it’s a good time to buy a car,” Joe McCabe, president and …