Auto Sales Dip In June As Tariff Surge Fades

New-vehicle retail sales dipped in June to their slowest pace in a year, according to The Wall Street Journal. This marked a sharp reversal from the early spring surge triggered by Trump’s 25% tariff on imported cars and trucks. Sales spiked in March and April, with buyers purchasing roughly 173,000 additional vehicles to avoid the price hikes, according to J.D. Power. Demand tapered off by mid-May and remained sluggish through June, as high interest rates, rising vehicle prices, and economic uncertainty weighed on buyers. Although tariffs haven’t yet raised sticker prices, their long-term impact on supply, pricing, and parts availability remains uncertain.