New car sales surge in Hudson Valley before tariffs take effect
In its latest report from its analysts, Cox Automotive warns that vehicles with starting prices below $30,000 may increase by more than $5,000 because of tariffs at the U.S. border.
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Sales have been increasing at several Hudson Valley car dealerships, as customers try to beat anticipated price increases due to tariffs on foreign-made cars.
News 12 spoke with local car dealers who said some models will likely increase significantly in price while others on their lots might be less affected.
John Bello rang the bell at Morehead Honda in Orange County Wednesday morning to celebrate his purchase of a new Honda CR-V, which was made in Canada.
Bello figured he should buy the CR-V right away to avoid paying thousands of dollars more for it in the future.
In its latest report from its analysts, Cox Automotive warns that vehicles with starting prices below $30,000 may increase by more than $5,000 because of tariffs at the U.S. border.
"I was here yesterday for the oil change. I spoke to them," Bello said as he familiarized himself with the CR-V's interior features. "They said, 'We got one for you.' I said, 'Let me look at it.' Then I said, 'Let's do it.'"
Morehead Honda dealer manager Mark Nesheiwat understand that greater urgency about car prices than gas prices.
"Now when you're having a conversation of — putting fuel aside — 'How am I going to afford a new vehicle?,' now that's a different discussion," Neshweiwat said.
He will have that chat with people considering buying the CR-V or the HR-V, which is made in Mexico.
Both would be subject to a 25% tariff to be enacted Thursday by President Donald Trump's administration.
Nesheiwat said all other cars on the lot, though, are made in America and their prices may not be as immediately affected as those of foreign-made vehicles.
Close to 90% of Morehead's vehicles are made in America, he said.
Neither Nesheiwat nor managers of other local dealers of other brands said Wednesday that they have received any urgent notices from their corporate suppliers.
"The way I'm seeing it, is that if we were in desperation mode, or in panic mode, we at the dealer level would have heard about it already," Neshweiwat said.
Nesheiwat said his staff is currently acquiring as many late-model, certified pre-owned vehicles as they can.
Those cars may not be immediately, directly affected by tariffs, though American trade policy is in flux.
