New York Post·2026-01-07 17:29Core Insights - Sales of new vehicles in the US increased by approximately 2.2% in 2025, reaching about 16.2 million units, despite concerns over the impact of President Trump's tariffs on the auto industry [3][11][19] - The White House attributed the sales increase to Trump's policies, while many automakers indicated they have not yet fully passed tariff costs to consumers, leading to potential future sales declines [7][9] Industry Performance - The average retail transaction price for new vehicles reached $47,104 in December 2025, marking a 1.5% increase from December 2024, while Kelley Blue Book reported an average cost of $49,740, slightly down from $50,080 in October [5] - General Motors, Lexus, and Toyota reported annual sales increases of 5.5%, 7%, and 8% respectively, while Hyundai achieved record retail sales and Honda had its best year since 2021 [6][8] - Stellantis experienced a 3.3% decline in sales, although its Jeep brand reported its first annual sales gain since 2018 [8] Future Outlook - Cox Automotive forecasts a 2.4% decline in US auto sales for 2026 as tariffs begin to impact prices, with Edmunds predicting steady or lower sales in the same year [3][4] - Toyota is currently absorbing tariff costs but anticipates needing to raise prices, as 23% of its vehicles are imported from Japan facing a 15% tariff, and 28% from Mexico and Canada facing a 25% tariff [15][20] - Automakers like General Motors and Ford have scrapped major electric vehicle production plans due to the end of the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs, leading to significant financial impacts [10][13]