(Reuters) — Tesla shares jumped 10% on Monday after the electric-vehicle maker started testing its long-awaited robotaxi service, a key step toward proving the technology that CEO Elon Musk has for years touted as a crucial driver of its lofty valuation.
The automaker deployed a small fleet of self-driving taxis in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, marking the first time its cars have carried paying passengers without human drivers. The rides were being offered for a flat fee of $4.20 in a limited zone.
The trial&#8217;s success is crucial for Tesla as Musk has pivoted the company to self-driving cars and robots, shelving plans for mass-market dominance in the EV space as Chinese competition heats up and demand slows for its aging line-up of models.
&#8220;It was a comfortable, safe, and personalized experience,&#8221; said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, who took multiple robotaxi rides on Sunday and has long been a Tesla bull.
&#8220;There was a moment where we drove up a narrow road going up a hill with cars parked on both sides with oncoming traffic and people opening their car doors into the road and the robotaxi masterfully maneuvered with patience and safety.&#8221;
Many social-media influencers also posted videos of their first rides on X, showing the cars navigating busy city streets by slowing down and making room for incoming traffic.
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<a href="https://t.co/3GbQ9sZA2O">https://t.co/3GbQ9sZA2O</a>
&mdash; Tesla (@Tesla) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1937076639504236728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Still, the tightly controlled trial — with about 10 vehicles and front-seat riders acting as &#8220;safety monitors&#8221; &#8211; is just the first step in what could be a years-long process of scaling up the service, according to some industry experts.
Musk said that he aims to get &#8220;hundreds of thousands, if not over a million Teslas doing self-driving in the U.S.&#8221; by the end of next year.
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ELON MUSK:“By the end of next year, we&#39;ll have hundreds of thousands, if not over a million Teslas doing self-driving in the US.” <a href="https://t.co/q4EkaxSggI">pic.twitter.com/q4EkaxSggI</a>
&mdash; Dima Zeniuk (@DimaZeniuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/DimaZeniuk/status/1936795466575810739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Tesla, as well as rivals including Google-backed Waymo, have faced federal investigations and recalls following collisions.
Industry experts have questioned the efficacy of Tesla&#8217;s self-driving technology that depends mostly on cameras and AI, without redundant sensors such as lidar and radar, claiming fog, heavy rain and glaring sunlight can hamper safety.
The company will also have to navigate a new Texas law taking effect September 1 that requires a state permit for self-driving vehicles and reflects bipartisan calls for a cautious roll-out.
If Monday&#8217;s gains hold, Tesla — the world&#8217;s most valuable automaker — will add nearly $100 billion to its market value of about $1 trillion. The stock has declined about 12% so far this year, after the company faced criticism and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-issues-warning-over-left-wing-terrorist-attacks-against-tesla">threats</a> over Musk&#8217;s role in the Trump administration and his backing of right-wing political movements in Europe.
Still, Tesla trades at nearly 149 times forward earnings estimates, far above auto rivals such as Ford Motor at 9.3 and tech giants including Microsoft at 31.6.
(Reporting by Aditya Soni in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D&#8217;Silva)

FILE PHOTO: Tesla robotaxis launch in Austin, Texas

Tesla Shares Soar After First Robotaxis Hit The Road

Austin

Auto Companies

Elon Musk

Technology

Tesla

Texas

American car manufacturing giant General Motors is set to invest $4 billion in the United States, moving production of three vehicles from Mexico.
GM plans to move production of full-size SUVs and light-duty pickups from Mexico to its Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan, a plant that had recently been repurposed to focus on electric trucks until demand for EVs dropped, The Detroit News <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2025/06/10/gm-plans-4-billion-push-to-move-production-from-mexico-to-u-s/84135790007/">reported</a> on Tuesday. GM&#8217;s gas-powered Equinox will be made in Fairfax, Kansas, and the gas-powered Blazer will be made in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The auto company&#8217;s major shift back is set to take place through 2027 and will move the assembly of more than two million vehicles to the United States, GM said, according to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/gm-to-invest-4-billion-in-us-manufacturing-plants-amid-tariffs.html">CNBC</a>.
“We believe the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise,” GM CEO Mary Barra said. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build vehicles in the U.S. and to support American jobs. We&#8217;re focused on giving customers choice and offering a broad range of vehicles they love.”
The announcement, which comes after President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on foreign auto imports, was celebrated by the Trump administration.
“No president has taken a stronger interest in reviving America’s once-great auto industry than President Trump, and GM’s investment announcement builds on trillions of dollars in other historic investment commitments to Make in America,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said, according to The Detroit News.
Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also praised GM&#8217;s decision, saying it would bring &#8220;more auto manufacturing back home to Michigan, protecting thousands of good-paying, union auto jobs.&#8221;
The future of the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, which currently produces the Equinox and the Blazer, remains uncertain. The production of the Blazer is set to fully move to the United States, while some Equinoxes will still be made at the Mexico plant for other markets, CNBC reported.
Last month, GM said it was also cutting back on production at a truck plant in Ontario, Canada, due to Trump&#8217;s auto tariff, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/general-motors-to-cut-back-on-manufacturing-at-canada-plant-over-trump-tariff?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=General+Motors+To+Cut+Back+On+Manufacturing+At+Canada+Plant+Over+Trump+Tariff">reported</a>. The auto giant <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/general-motors-to-cut-back-on-manufacturing-at-canada-plant-over-trump-tariff?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=General+Motors+To+Cut+Back+On+Manufacturing+At+Canada+Plant+Over+Trump+Tariff">said</a> in April that it planned to ramp up production of light-duty trucks at its assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which promises to add more temporary jobs and increase overtime opportunities for employees.

General Motors

‘Support American Jobs’: GM Plans $4 Billion Production Move From Mexico To U.S.

Donald Trump

Economy

Jobs

Kansas

Mexico

Michigan

Politics

Tariffs

Tennessee

American auto giant General Motors is shifting its focus away from electric vehicle motors and back toward torque and horsepower.
GM said on Tuesday that it is scrapping its $300 million EV motor production plan at its Tonawanda engine plant in Buffalo, New York, and will instead invest $888 million in producing the sixth generation of V-8 engines, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/general-motors-to-invest-888-million-in-propulsion-plant-23ea7636?mod=hp_lista_pos5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. V-8 engines are typically used in full-size trucks, SUVs, and high-performance sports cars, such as the Chevrolet Corvette. The Detroit-based auto manufacturer hopes to roll out production of the new engines at the Buffalo plant in 2027.
The automaker is returning to focus on gas-powered engines as demand for EVs falls short of expectations, and state and federal governments ease pressure on requiring EV production. Last week, New York said it would pause penalties for shortfalls in EV production for two years, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gm-invest-least-800-million-engine-production-new-york-facility-sources-say-2025-05-27/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>. The Republican-led U.S. Congress is also poised to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-votes-undo-biden-era-waiver-california-enabling-gas-car-ban?author=Daniel+Chaitin&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Republicans+Set+To+Block+California%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%98Radical%E2%80%99+Gas+Car+Ban" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overturn</a> the Biden administration&#8217;s move that allowed around a dozen blue states, including New York, to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
GM said the new generation of V-8 engines will improve performance while reducing emissions. The $888 million investment also includes updating machinery, equipment, tools, and facilities, according to the WSJ. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said the investment will support 870 jobs, including protecting nearly 180 jobs believed to be at risk. The state government will also hand out $16.96 million in tax credits to GM in return for the investment in New York.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=memorial&amp;utm_content=editorialmemorialday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get 40% Off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
GM&#8217;s massive investment in New York also comes as President Donald Trump pushes auto manufacturers to produce more vehicles and parts in the United States. GM CEO Mary Barra touted the commitment in Buffalo as a way for the company to invest in American manufacturing. In April, following Trump&#8217;s tariff on foreign auto imports, GM <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gm-to-increase-truck-production-in-u-s-as-trumps-auto-tariff-goes-into-effect?row=0&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;title=GM+To+Increase+Truck+Production+In+U.S.+As+Trump%E2%80%99s+Auto+Tariff+Goes+Into+Effect&amp;category=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it would ramp up production of light-duty trucks at its assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A few weeks later, the auto company said it would <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/general-motors-to-cut-back-on-manufacturing-at-canada-plant-over-trump-tariff?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=General+Motors+To+Cut+Back+On+Manufacturing+At+Canada+Plant+Over+Trump+Tariff" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cut back</a> on production at its truck plant in Ontario, Canada, likely resulting in around 750 workers getting laid off.

Chevrolet Corvette

GM Pumps Brakes On EV Motor Production, Invests Nearly $1 Billion In V-8 Engines

Electric cars

electric vehicles

Kathy Hochul

New York

Oil and Gas

Trump Administration

U.S.

Stellantis, one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, announced on Wednesday a $388 million investment to develop a two-million-square-foot parts distribution facility in Wayne County, Michigan. 
This “megahub” will feature an automated storage system, called AutoStore, which utilizes robots to efficiently retrieve and deliver parts to workstations, aiming to enhance speed and accuracy in parts processing. The hub will serve as a central facility for Stellantis’ Mopar parts operations, and will support about 488 union-represented jobs, honoring the company’s commitment to support union labor.
In an X post on Thursday, the White House’s &#8220;Rapid Response&#8221; account <a href="http://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1925627671670624374" target="_blank" rel="noopener">credited</a> the “TRUMP EFFECT” for the investment. The facility, which will launch in 2027, will be located in Van Buren Township.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured automakers to build cars and manufacture parts in America. His <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/both-countries-will-become-stronger-trumps-trade-deal-will-give-u-s-more-access-to-u-k-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trade agreement</a> with the United Kingdom imposed a 10% tariff on U.K. exports to the United States, while keeping American automakers at a 25% tariff for vehicles and parts manufactured outside of the country. 
Stellantis said this new investment, as well as the sale of their parts distribution centers in Center Line, Marysville, and Milwaukee, is part of a “broader consolidation strategy,” CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/stellantis-388-million-investment-metro-detroit-hub/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Employees from the Center Line, Warren, and Warren Sherwood, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, parts facilities will be moved to the new “megahub,” while workers from the Marysville, Michigan, center will be moved to the Warren and Warren Sherwood facilities.  
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=memorial&amp;utm_content=editorialmemorialday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Memorial Day Sale – Get 40% Off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/stellantis-388-million-investment-metro-detroit-hub/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> CBS News, Darren Bradshaw, senior vice president and head of Mopar North America, said in a statement that their customers are counting on them. 
“With the Metro Detroit Megahub, we&#8217;re building a faster, smarter and more reliable parts distribution network that puts their needs first,” he said. “This investment reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability and operational excellence, while also creating a modern, high-tech workplace for our employees.”

Inauguration Of Hybrid And PHEV Vehicles Stellantis Group eDCT Assembly Plant In Turin

White House Celebrates Major U.S. Car Company Developing $388 Million Metro Detroit ‘Megahub’

Detroit

President Donald Trump&#8217;s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is on a mission to &#8220;fix&#8221; the despised start/stop technology in newer cars that shuts down a vehicle&#8217;s engine when stopped in traffic or at a red light in the name of conserving fuel and saving the planet.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on Monday that his agency would begin looking into how it can modify the start/stop feature. The EPA currently incentivizes car manufacturers to make cars with the start/stop system. The technology can give vehicles anywhere between a 3% to 10% fuel economy boost.
&#8220;Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light so companies get a climate participation trophy. EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it,&#8221; Zeldin wrote on X.
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Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light so companies get a climate participation trophy. EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it. <a href="https://t.co/zFhijMyHDe">pic.twitter.com/zFhijMyHDe</a>
&mdash; Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) <a href="https://twitter.com/epaleezeldin/status/1921894994769575972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Zeldin did not elaborate on specific plans to change the feature.
Start/stop technology was first used by European car manufacturers on hybrids, but over the past decade, most automakers began implementing the system in many of their new vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks. By 2019, however, more automakers began giving drivers the option to shut off the start/stop system as people began to complain. Buick first gave drivers that option with its 2019 Envision based on &#8220;customer feedback,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a19561461/automakers-increasingly-offer-ways-to-deactivate-stopstart-systems-temporarily/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Car and Driver</a>. Ford, GM, Volvo, and Lincoln also began including the shut-off option in their start/stop vehicles between 2017 and 2018.
While most cars with start/stop technology allow drivers to deactivate the system, they can&#8217;t turn it off permanently, and owners of start/stop cars who don&#8217;t want to use the tech still have to turn it off every time they get back in the car. The EPA’s fuel-economy test results for vehicles with the start/stop system are affected if drivers turn the system off. According to Car and Driver, &#8220;If a vehicle’s stop/start system can be permanently turned off, then the vehicle’s fuel economy is tested both when stop/start is active and when it’s off. The EPA then averages the two tests for a resulting fuel-economy rating found on the car’s window sticker—which is certain to be lower.&#8221;
The response to Zeldin&#8217;s announcement was overwhelmingly <a href="https://x.com/epaleezeldin/status/1921894994769575972/quotes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">positive</a> on social media, with many people calling the objective &#8220;common sense.&#8221;

Traffic

Trump Admin Sets Out To ‘Fix’ Everyone’s Least Favorite Car Feature

Cars

Lee Zeldin

Americans will soon feel the pinch of President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariffs if they&#8217;re looking to buy certain Ford vehicles, according to a notice sent to dealers and obtained by Reuters.
Citing Trump&#8217;s tariff on foreign vehicle imports, Ford is increasing the prices of its Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, Maverick pickup truck, and Bronco Sport by as much as $2,000, Reuters <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/07/ford-hikes-prices-on-mexico-produced-models-citing-tariffs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The price increase will only affect vehicles built after May 2, which are expected to arrive at U.S. dealerships in late June, according to a Ford spokesman.
The spokesman added that the price increase reflects “usual” mid-year actions &#8220;combined with some tariffs we are facing.&#8221;
&#8220;We have not passed on the full cost of tariffs to our customers,&#8221; the spokesman added.
The price increase will likely be seen after Ford ends its major <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/from-america-for-america-ford-offering-major-discounts-as-tariffs-kick-in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discount offer</a> for American buyers. Ford is currently offering customers employee pricing until June 2, which it says is &#8220;worth thousands of dollars&#8221; in savings.
In an effort to push for more American car production, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on auto imports, affecting around eight million vehicles imported to the United States each year. Late last month, Trump<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-major-victory-trump-makes-deal-with-auto-industry-for-tariff-relief" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> made a deal</a> with the auto industry to relieve some of the tariff pressure, signing an order to prevent auto tariffs from “stacking” on top of each other in exchange for manufacturers&#8217; continued focus on domestic production. While auto manufacturers will continue to pay the 25% tariff on auto imports under the new deal, they won&#8217;t be hit with additional tariffs, such as the 25% tax on steel and aluminum.
Car companies, including Ford, suspended their annual earnings guidance for 2025 over the tariffs. Ford said earlier this week that it expects to see a $2.5 billion impact from Trump&#8217;s tariffs, CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/05/ford-motor-f-earnings-q1-2025.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The Michigan-based auto company has yet to announce any plans to ramp up domestic manufacturing or move plants from Mexico to the United States. After Trump relieved some tariff pressure on car companies, Ford CEO Jim Farley <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/trump-auto-tariffs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vowed</a> to “continue to work closely with the administration in support of the president’s vision for a healthy and growing auto industry in America.&#8221;
&#8220;Ford sees policies that encourage exports and ensure affordable supply chains to promote more domestic growth as essential,&#8221; Farley added.
Some of Ford&#8217;s foreign competition, such as Hyundai, BMW, and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mercedes-says-it-will-make-another-car-in-the-u-s-after-trump-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercedes-Benz</a>, have announced plans to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tariffs-very-strongly-work-trump-announces-21-billion-hyundai-investment-in-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invest</a> in more U.S. manufacturing as they seek to navigate the tariffs.

Ford

Ford To Jack Up Prices On Vehicles Made In Mexico Over Tariffs

Business

Ford Motor Co.

German automaker Mercedes-Benz announced on Thursday that it will move production of one of its &#8220;core segment&#8221; vehicles to the United States, nearly a month after President Donald Trump&#8217;s 25% tariff on imported vehicles took effect.
Mercedes did not specify which vehicle it will begin producing in the United States, but said that a &#8220;core vehicle segment&#8221; would be manufactured at a factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/mercedes-will-move-output-of-key-model-to-us-to-counter-tariffs?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The automotive company plans to shift vehicle assembly to the United States by 2027.
“We are getting even closer to the U.S. customer by localizing a core segment model in Tuscaloosa, strengthening our ties to the North American market where a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, including the GLE and GLS models, have their roots,” <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/01/mercedes-benz-alabama-plant-trump-tariffs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Mercedes-Benz North America CEO Jason Hoff.
The White House celebrated the announcement from Mercedes, saying in a statement, &#8220;Today, Mercedes-Benz announced it will move production of another vehicle to the U.S. — the latest result of President Donald J. Trump’s relentless pursuit of American manufacturing dominance.&#8221;
Mercedes added that the Alabama plant has become &#8220;the global export hub for Mercedes-Benz SUVs.&#8221; The Mercedes GLC sport utility vehicle has become increasingly popular in the United States, seeing a 58% increase in sales last year. Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-01/mercedes-weighs-pulling-us-entry-level-cars-over-trump-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> last month that Mercedes was considering pulling its least expensive vehicles from the U.S. market due to tariffs.
Earlier this week, Trump struck a deal with the auto industry to provide some tariff relief in return for commitments to bring more manufacturing back to the United States. Under new tariff rules, auto manufacturers will continue to pay a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, but they will not be subject to any additional levies, such as those on steel and aluminum.
American auto CEOs thanked Trump for the tariff relief and pledged to continue seeking ways to increase domestic production. Other foreign auto companies have also said they will ramp up investments in the United States following Trump&#8217;s tariffs. Hyundai <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tariffs-very-strongly-work-trump-announces-21-billion-hyundai-investment-in-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a $21 billion investment in the United States over the next four years, starting with a steel plant in Louisiana that is expected to create nearly 1,500 jobs. BMW, another German automaker, is also looking to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2025/04/10/bmw-production-boost-us-plant/83034910007/#:~:text=German%20automaker%20BMW%20BWMG.DE,Research%20and%20confirmed%20by%20BMW.&amp;text=The%20investor%20call%20was%20held,relief%2C%20according%20to%20the%20note." target="_blank" rel="noopener">boost</a> manufacturing in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes Says It Will Make Another Car In The U.S. After Trump Tariffs

Alabama

The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will sign an order protecting the auto industry from tariffs &#8220;stacking&#8221; on top of each other in exchange for continued focus on domestic production.
Auto manufacturers will continue to pay a 25% tariff for imported vehicles, but Trump&#8217;s order will prevent any additional tariffs, such as the 25% tax on steel and aluminum, from affecting car companies, CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/trump-auto-tariffs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Trump&#8217;s order will be retroactive, allowing automakers to receive reimbursements for tariffs they have already paid, according to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/trump-tariffs-autos-exceptions-fc634efd?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Wall Street Journal</a>.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said during a White House press briefing on Tuesday that the president&#8217;s move shows a commitment to bringing car manufacturing back to the United States. “We want to give the automakers a path to do that quickly, efficiently, and create as many jobs as possible,” he said.
The change comes after automakers called on the Trump administration to provide some relief from the tariffs that have been stacking up on the car industry. Six lobbyists representing U.S. automotive groups joined forces last week to argue against implementing tariffs on foreign auto parts, a tax that is set to take effect on May 3.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the 25% tariff on foreign auto parts will also be modified, allowing car manufacturers to be reimbursed up to 3.75% of the value of the U.S.-made car in the first year. The reimbursement would drop to 2.5% of the car&#8217;s value in the second year and then be phased out.
In exchange for the tariff relief, car manufacturers reportedly committed to furthering domestic production, a key point for the Trump administration.
“President Trump is building an important partnership with both the domestic automakers and our great American workers,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “This deal will be a major victory for the president’s trade policy by rewarding companies who are already manufacturing domestically, while providing a runway to manufacturers who have expressed their commitment in investing in America and expanding domestic manufacturing.”
The Ford Motor Company thanked the president for the tariff relief, saying in a statement, “Ford welcomes and appreciates these decisions by President Trump, which will help mitigate the impact of tariffs on automakers, suppliers and consumers.”
&#8220;We will continue to work closely with the administration in support of the president’s vision for a healthy and growing auto industry in America,&#8221; Ford CEO Jim Farley added. &#8220;Ford sees policies that encourage exports and ensure affordable supply chains to promote more domestic growth as essential.&#8221;
Stellantis Chair John Elkann added, “Stellantis appreciates the tariff relief measures decided by President Trump. While we further assess the impact of the tariff policies on our North American operations, we look forward to our continued collaboration with the U.S. Administration to strengthen a competitive American auto industry and stimulate exports.”
General Motors CEO Mary Barra also expressed her gratitude for the &#8220;productive conversations with the President and his Administration.&#8221;

Ford assembly line

‘A Major Victory:’ Trump Makes Deal With Auto Industry For Tariff Relief

General Motors is planning to ramp up its production of light-duty trucks in the United States after President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-touts-businesses-coming-back-with-new-plan-for-25-tariffs-on-vehicles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">imposed</a> a 25% tariff on auto imports, Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gm-increase-us-truck-production-following-trumps-tariffs-2025-04-03/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> on Thursday.
In a message sent to employees, GM said it will increase the truck production at its assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The auto company based in Detroit said in a statement that it &#8220;will be making operational adjustments at Fort Wayne Assembly, including hiring temporary employees, to support current manufacturing and business needs,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2025/04/03/gm-increasing-truck-production-fort-wayne-indiana-tariffs-donald-trump/82794018007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Detroit News</a>.
Plant Director Dennys Pimenta told employees that the change could add more overtime days to the schedule for workers, and a company source told Reuters that hundreds of temporary workers could get hired at the plant, which currently employs around 4,150 workers. GM&#8217;s plants in Canada and Mexico that also focus on making light-duty and full-size trucks will not see any changes to production schedules, a source told The Detroit News.
Trump&#8217;s tariff on auto imports kicked in on Thursday after he announced it in the Oval Office last week.
“What we’re going to be doing is a 25% tariff on all cars that are not made in the United States. If they are made in the United States, there is absolutely no tariff,” Trump said.
The tariff will likely affect Canada and Mexico the most as U.S. car manufacturers have outsourced production of their vehicles to each of those countries. Canada&#8217;s second largest export is vehicles, and around 125,000 Canadians work directly in the automotive industry, the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-prime-minister-trump-trade-war-autos-d15ae5b0bab873450b86ca524afda3ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. On Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed to match the United States&#8217; 25% auto tariff.
“We take these measures reluctantly. And we take them in ways that is intended and will cause maximum impact in the United States and minimum impact in Canada,” Carney said.
Trump recently credited tariffs for bringing manufacturing jobs to the United States after South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai announced a $21 billion <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tariffs-very-strongly-work-trump-announces-21-billion-hyundai-investment-in-u-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">investment</a> in the country over the next four years.
“This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work,” Trump said. “And I hope other things also, but the tariffs are bringing them in at levels that have not been witnessed.”

GM To Increase Truck Production In U.S. As Trump’s Auto Tariff Goes Into Effect

Indiana

The Trump administration celebrated the increase in manufacturing jobs during President Donald Trump’s first full month in office as the February job report was released on Friday. 
The <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 151,000 jobs were added to the economy in February, including 10,000 new manufacturing jobs. Federal government jobs declined by 10,000 as the Trump administration has pushed to slash the size of the government bureaucracy. 
“In one month under President Trump, the American economy is soaring back to greatness after the economic calamity left by Joe Biden,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/03/manufacturing-is-roaring-back-under-president-donald-j-trump/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “The manufacturing industry is already rebounding as there were 9,000 new auto jobs created — the most auto jobs added in 15 months!”
“Under President Trump, the private sector is leading the way — 93% of the job gains in February were in the private sector. This is great news for American workers and families. The Trump Administration will continue to work hard to implement pro-growth policies and push Congress to enact the Trump Economic Agenda,” she added. 
The White House said that the report was a “swift turnaround” from the Biden administration, saying that 111,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in Biden’s final year in office. 
The report found that most growth was in the health care, transportation, warehouse, social assistance, and financial industries. The unemployment rate was at around 4.1%, a slight uptick from January. 
The overall job group was 19,000 less than the 170,000 increase that had been predicted by the Dow Jones.
The most notable decline was in federal government jobs, which comes as Trump&#8217;s Department of Government Efficiency has pushed cuts across the sprawling federal bureaucracy.
Heritage Foundation economist E.J. Antoni noted that job growth increased most among native-born Americans.
“​​Well, that was a fast reversal &#8211; for the 1st time in 15 months, annual job growth among native-born Americans exceeded that of foreign-born workers; still a long way to go, but a very good start,” he said. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Well, that was a fast reversal &#8211; for the 1st time in 15 months, annual job growth among native-born Americans exceeded that of foreign-born workers; still a long way to go, but a very good start: <a href="https://t.co/VNFuM3eHAP">pic.twitter.com/VNFuM3eHAP</a>
— E.J. Antoni, Ph.D. (@RealEJAntoni) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealEJAntoni/status/1898016921083052416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The report from the bureau added that revisions had been made to the previous months&#8217; jobs reports, including an upward revision of 16,000 in December and a downward revision of 18,000 in January.

Donald Trump Delivers Remarks In Michigan On The Economy

Trump Admin Celebrates ‘Swift Turnaround’ After Jobs Report Released

Bureau of Labor Statistics

White House

Former President Donald Trump announced in Detroit on Thursday that if he wins the election, he will make car loan interest &#8220;fully&#8221; tax-deductible, adding the policy to his plans for other major <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-unveils-plan-to-end-all-taxes-on-overtime-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tax cuts</a>.
During a speech at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump said the tax deduction on car payments would &#8220;revolutionize&#8221; the car industry and “stimulate massive domestic auto production.&#8221; The former president added that the policy would &#8220;make car ownership dramatically more affordable for millions and millions of working American families.&#8221;
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Today, I am also announcing that as part of our TAX CUTS, we will make interest on car loans FULLY DEDUCTIBLE… <a href="https://t.co/q5RUbo0lRO">pic.twitter.com/q5RUbo0lRO</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1844515551420559603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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In his speech, Trump also reiterated his promise to impose tariffs on car companies that manufacture vehicles outside of the U.S., a policy he says would bring jobs back to places like Detroit and Flint, Michigan.
“I want German car companies to become American car companies. I want them to build plants in America. Otherwise, I’d rather not have their cars here,” Trump said.
At another point of his speech, Trump warned that if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the election, the U.S. &#8220;will end up being like Detroit.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t think anything that we&#8217;re talking about today is high on her list,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;The whole country is going to be like, you want to know the truth? It&#8217;ll be like Detroit. Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she&#8217;s your president. You&#8217;re going to have a mess on your hands.&#8221;
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Trump in Detroit: The whole country will be like Detroit if Kamala Harris is your president <a href="https://t.co/KW3nqtuSd9">pic.twitter.com/KW3nqtuSd9</a>
&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1844447321024541065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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In his multiple campaign stops in Michigan, an important battleground state in the 2024 election, the former president has focused on the car industry. While speaking to Michigan voters last month, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-only-consequential-presidents-get-shot-at" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promised</a> that his administration would put a 200% tariff on vehicles manufactured outside of the U.S.
“They think they’re going to make their cars there and they’re going to sell them across our line and we’re going to take them and we’re not going to charge them tax. We’re going to charge them. I’m telling you right now, we’re putting a 200% tariff on them, which means they’re unsellable,” he said.
Jobs in Michigan&#8217;s auto plants, car parts factories, and corporate offices of major car companies have dropped by 35% since 1990, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/27/business/auto-jobs-michigan-economy-primary/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> earlier this year. Those job losses in Michigan are due, in part, to the automation of factories, but also due to companies moving their manufacturing bases to Mexico.
&#8220;We are going to bring so many auto plants into our country. You are going to be big or bigger than you were 50 years ago,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1836186254666309658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1836186254666309658%7Ctwgr%5E7a4891011374eae21a46a61dfbc38254dcdbb473%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Ftrump-only-consequential-presidents-get-shot-at" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> a crowd in Flint in September. &#8220;If they&#8217;re not willing to build a plant, we don&#8217;t want their product.&#8221;

Trump Vows To Make Car Loan Interest Tax Deductible: ‘Stimulate Massive Domestic Auto Production’

Trump Vows To Make Car Loan Interest Tax Deductible: 'Stimulate Massive Domestic Auto Production'

Elections

Tax Cuts

Former President Donald Trump will hold a town hall event in the heavily Democratic city of Flint, Michigan, on Tuesday, September 17, as he seeks to flip the Great Lakes State back to red in November.
The town hall is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET and moderated by Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, according to the Trump campaign.
&#8220;After Michigan voters have been forced to suffer three and a half years of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden&#8217;s dangerously liberal policies, President Trump will meet with Michiganders to listen to their concerns and share his vision to make America affordable again,&#8221; Team Trump said in a statement.
&#8220;The auto industry is the backbone of Michigan&#8217;s economy, and Kamala Harris&#8217; actions have only shown that she will destroy it,&#8221; the statement added. &#8220;If Kamala Harris has her way with a gas-powered car ban, Michigan will lose, at a minimum, 40,000 jobs. It&#8217;s painfully clear that Michiganders cannot afford four more years of Kamala Harris, and voters in the Great Lakes State are eager to hear how President Trump will lower inflation and protect the auto industry.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: President Trump to hold Flint, Michigan town hall next Tuesday at 7PM ET. <a href="https://t.co/qIMJIdLm27">pic.twitter.com/qIMJIdLm27</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1834270975933734973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The Biden-Harris administration <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/climate/biden-phase-out-gas-cars.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a rule earlier this year requiring auto manufacturers to produce more electric vehicles and tightened regulations on tail-pipe emissions, which target gas-powered vehicles. The Kamala Harris campaign attempted to distance the vice president from the administration&#8217;s policies, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/harris-camp-declines-clarify-whether-kamalas-values-have-shifted-ev-mandates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a> last month that she &#8220;does not support an electric vehicle mandate.&#8221; During her first major interview as the Democratic nominee, however, Harris doubled down on her commitment to addressing the &#8220;climate crisis.&#8221;
&#8220;The most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,&#8221; she told CNN&#8217;s Dana Bash. &#8220;You mentioned the Green New Deal. I have always believed, and I have worked on it, that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time.&#8221;
<div><a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726247534255000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VfTx3gHYwekb_uCdhZmtB">Am I Racist? ONLY In Theaters Tomorrow—Get Your Tickets Now!</a></div>
Flint, known as &#8220;Vehicle City&#8221; for its boom during the height of the auto industry in Michigan, is now a heavily Democratic area whose population has declined for decades. When Flint was at the center of a water crisis nearly a decade ago, Trump <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2016/09/a_look_back_at_donald_trumps_v.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">traveled</a> to the city to tour the water plant. Trump&#8217;s motorcade in 2016 was met by angry Flint residents who told him to &#8220;go home.&#8221;
Trump lost Genesee County, where Flint is the largest city, to both Hillary Clinton in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/michigan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2016</a> and Joe Biden in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-michigan.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020</a> by nearly 10 points. Michigan is a vital battleground state for Trump and Vice President Harris in the 2024 election. Polls currently show Harris barely leading Trump by less than one point in the state, according to the <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/michigan/trump-vs-harris" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RealClearPolitics</a> average.

Trump To Hold Town Hall In Deep Blue Flint, MI

2024 Election

Flint

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

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