• News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Friday, August 8, 2025
  • Login
Auto Journal Africa
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Ask Autojorunal AI
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
No Result
View All Result
Morning News
No Result
View All Result
Home Read a ride Cars/SUVs

Everything we know about tariffs, loans, and the vanishing dream of car ownership in U.S.A.

David Ijaseun by David Ijaseun
July 9, 2025
in Cars/SUVs, Premium
0
car ownership
2.1k
SHARES
19.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

For millions of Americans, the dream of owning a new car in 2025 is slipping away. Tariffs, high interest rates, and rising transaction prices have created one of the most challenging buying environments in recent history.

The car buyer’s crisis: Why new wheels are further out of reach in 2025

The average transaction price for a new vehicle in the U.S. now stands at $48,799, according to Cox Automotive. Add to that a 9.5% average new auto loan rate, and affordability collapses for all but the most financially stable buyers.

READ ALSO

Five cars worth buying if you have an unlimited budget

Tariffs slash Toyota’s profit forecast by $9.5bn, threatening jobs and car prices

Behind the scenes, economic policy is adding fuel to the fire. Tariffs on imported vehicles and parts are now as high as 50%, especially on non-North American imports. According to Cox Automotive, this adds $5,700 to $7,200 on average to the cost of some models.

Buyers, dealers, and the policy trap

The pressure isn’t just on buyers. Dealers are increasingly wary of an unstable economic climate. In Q2 2025, 33% of dealers cited tariffs as a major barrier to doing business, up sharply from just 2% in 2024. Another 42% blame high interest rates, while 31% cite weakening consumer confidence.

Used cars aren’t offering much relief either. Even as prices for 3-year-old vehicles dropped by 2%, overall affordability remains a problem. Borrowers still face high APRs and limited credit access, particularly for subprime buyers.

“There’s no relief in sight,” says Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “We’re looking at a market shaped more by policy decisions than economic fundamentals.”

Industry caught in a tug-of-war

Automakers are adjusting, but the reaction is uneven. New-vehicle supply has tightened, and many OEMs have reduced incentives, knowing they no longer need to compete as aggressively. Incentives as a percentage of transaction prices have dropped, signaling a seller’s market.

Yet, for the average consumer, this means fewer deals and stiffer payments. It’s especially tough for younger or lower-income buyers, many of whom now turn to long-term financing or delay purchases altogether.

Some analysts worry the current trends could deepen the economic divide in vehicle access. “The car used to be the great equalizer,” says Smoke. “Now, it’s becoming a luxury.”

Solutions ahead

There are some signs of hope. Congress is under pressure to revise tariff policies, especially those impacting North American trade. Meanwhile, credit availability inched up in May 2025, offering a slim opening for more buyers.

But for now, the market remains fragile. Unless loan rates drop and tariff-driven costs stabilize, 2025 may end as one of the least affordable years for American car buyers in over a decade.

Read more on The rise of African-made cars: Can local automakers take on the global giants?

Tags: brand new carscar ownershipCox AutomotiveHeadlineused cars

Related Posts

Five cars worth buying if you have an unlimited budget
Cars/SUVs

Five cars worth buying if you have an unlimited budget

August 8, 2025
Toyota sales
News

Tariffs slash Toyota’s profit forecast by $9.5bn, threatening jobs and car prices

August 8, 2025
big American cars [Source The Atlantic]
Cars/SUVs

Why big American cars struggle to sell in Japan and Europe despite Trump’s push

August 8, 2025
FRSC fake plate numbers
Cars/SUVs

Nigerian court backs FRSC’s power to punish drivers with fake or hand-painted plates

August 8, 2025
stolen luxury vehicles in Ghana recovered
News

Ghanaian police recovers 43 stolen luxury cars linked to global theft rings

August 4, 2025
Mercedes fights back, seizes 1.5 million fake car parts across the world
News

Mercedes fights back, seizes 1.5 million fake car parts across the world

August 4, 2025
Next Post
Over 100K sold: Why used electric vehicles are in high demand

Over 100K sold: Why used electric vehicles are in high demand

POPULAR NEWS

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

July 3, 2023
Mobius Motors

Mobius Motors: Rising taxes, competition ends Kenyan SUV maker’s journey

August 7, 2024
Autojournal car race

Get ready for the biggest RACE show this December in Nigeria

August 12, 2024
From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

October 25, 2024
Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

August 22, 2023

EDITOR'S PICK

Motor vehicles manufacturing plant

U.S. factory orders surge 1.6% in March, driven by aircraft and vehicle demand

May 2, 2024
BMW X1 xDrive30e

BMW X1 xDrive30e: South Africa’s most fuel-efficient crossover

June 10, 2024
autojournal Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin’s most recent “Panda” hits the market

February 21, 2023
Top 5 BMX Riders of the 21st Century (yet)

Top 5 BMX Riders of the 21st Century (yet)

March 30, 2023

About

Auto Journal Africa is the leading online and print magazine for automobiles in Africa.

Follow us

Recent Posts

  • Five cars worth buying if you have an unlimited budget
  • Tariffs slash Toyota’s profit forecast by $9.5bn, threatening jobs and car prices
  • Why big American cars struggle to sell in Japan and Europe despite Trump’s push
  • Nigerian court backs FRSC’s power to punish drivers with fake or hand-painted plates

Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Events
  • Tools
  • For Sale

© 2023 Auto Journal

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa

© 2023 Auto Journal

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In