In March, vehicle sales among major automakers in the United States rose sharply, with nearly 1.6 million vehicles sold, reflecting a 13.6% increase over the previous year.

The total number of cars sold in the first quarter surpassed 3.9 million.

This surge in sales is attributed to fears surrounding the introduction of automobile import tariffs set to take effect in April, which may lead to significantly higher car prices.

On April 3, former President Donald Trump announced the imposition of a 25% tariff on imported automobiles, signaling potential increases in production costs for automakers and lower sales volumes.

However, Trump stated that the tariffs could lead to the opening of more manufacturing plants within the United States.

General Motors reported a 17% increase in sales during the first quarter, with Chevrolet sales up 14% and GMC sales rising by 18%.

The sale of electric vehicles nearly tripled during this period, driven by anticipated tax burdens on foreign cars introduced earlier in March.

Other automakers also reported significant sales increases.

Ford Motor Company reported a 10% rise in March, aided by increasing sales of F-150 pickup trucks and electric vehicles, despite a decrease in SUV sales.

Toyota Motor North America experienced a 7.7% increase in sales in March, with electric vehicle sales jumping by 44.1%.

Honda's sales in the U.S. rose 13.2% in March, particularly in the light truck segment, while electric vehicle sales grew by 89.1%.

Nissan saw a 5.7% increase in quarterly sales, and Kia America reported a 13.1% rise in March, continuing a positive trend with a 10.7% monthly increase.

Hyundai Motor America experienced a 13% increase in March, with a total first-quarter sales growth of 10%, and hybrid-electric vehicle sales jumped by 68% during the same period.

Volkswagen reported a 7.1% increase in quarterly sales, with 87,915 vehicles sold, while BMW sold 87,615 cars in the first three months, marking a 3.7% annual increase.

Electric vehicle sales for BMW also rose by 25%.

Apart from the spike in sales, the new tariff policies are raising concerns internationally.

On April 2, Trump announced a 10% tariff on products from all countries and higher tariffs for specific countries, including a 20% tariff on European Union imports and a 34% tariff on imports from China.

The announcement of these tariffs led to a swift decline in stock markets.

Investors rapidly shifted their assets into bonds, gold, and Japanese yen due to fears of a potential trade war that could drive the global economy toward recession.

The S&P 500 index fell to its lowest point in 11 months, wiping out $5.4 trillion in market value over just two trading sessions.

The reverberations of the tariffs have also raised alarm in the automotive industry beyond U.S. borders.

The Jaguar Land Rover group announced a suspension of exports to the United States, citing the impact of the new tariffs.

According to company representatives, while the U.S. market is significant for their luxury brand, they are working on response strategies in light of changing trade conditions.

Economic analysts predict that sustained tariffs could severely impact the British automotive sector, which exports 110,000 vehicles to the U.S. annually, with forecasts suggesting that if the tariffs remain, the British automotive industry could face a loss of 25,000 jobs.

The situation continues to evolve as industry leaders and economists monitor the potential outcomes of the tariffs, reflecting a complex interplay between domestic sales patterns, international trade relations, and economic forecasts.