The Trump administration’s move to reimpose a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts is poised to hit the trucking industry hard—especially when it comes to the price of Class 3–8 trucks. The tariffs, which take effect April 3, 2025, are framed as a way to protect domestic manufacturing. But make no mistake: for fleet owners, this means higher costs, disrupted supply chains, and tough decisions ahead.

Expect Major Price Increases

According to Heavy Duty Trucking, the American Trucking Associations estimate that the price of a new Class 8 truck could jump by as much as $35,000. That’s not a rounding error—that’s a margin-killer for many fleets. The spike is due to the fact that a significant share of parts and components in U.S.-sold trucks come from countries now affected by the tariffs, especially Mexico and Canada.

With over 40% of Class 8 trucks sold in the U.S. imported or assembled in those countries, those costs will hit fast and hard.

Supply Chains Are in the Crosshairs

The supply chain effects will be just as brutal. The National Association of Manufacturers reports that one-third of all U.S. manufacturing inputs come from Canada and Mexico. Tariffs on those imports will ripple throughout the industry, raising costs not just for trucks, but for parts and repair.

For fleets trying to stay on the road and out of the shop, higher part costs mean longer repair lead times and lower uptime—exactly what you don’t want when margins are already tight.

Don’t Count on Quick Domestic Production Shifts

Sure, some OEMs might try to shift production stateside, but don’t expect that to happen overnight—or even over the next year. As noted in this Pickup Truck Talk article, relocating manufacturing takes capital, lead time, and workforce—all of which are in short supply.

Even if some reshoring happens, it’s not going to prevent the short-term price spikes or availability issues that fleets will face in 2025 and possibly beyond.

This Isn’t New—Just Bigger

Historically, tariffs have shaped the truck market before. The so-called “Chicken Tax”—a 25% tariff on light trucks dating back to 1964—completely reshaped where and how small trucks are manufactured and imported. This new round of tariffs is a much larger version of the same playbook, only now it’s hitting the backbone of American freight: Class 3–8 trucks.

What Fleets Need to Do Now

Fleet managers need to run cost impact scenarios immediately—and they need to do it right. Don’t just plug in the expected cost increase and call it a day. Account for:

• Increased vehicle acquisition costs (both new and used)
• Higher costs for imported parts and components
• Longer lead times for vehicle orders and repairs
• Potential downtime due to parts delays
• Impact on total cost of ownership over vehicle lifecycle
• Effects on leasing vs. ownership decisions
• Insurance implications if asset values rise significantly

Talk to Your OEM—Now

Getting in front of your OEM or dealer rep isn’t just a courtesy—it’s a necessity. Here’s why:

1. Lock in pricing now: If you’re even thinking about buying trucks this year, ask if you can secure pre-tariff pricing. Many OEMs have cutoffs coming fast, or will only hold pricing for confirmed POs.
2. Understand availability: Tariffs may cause some models or specs to be delayed or pulled. Get clarity on what’s at risk in your usual spec lineup.
3. Plan around production schedules: If production shifts to U.S. plants, capacity will be strained. You need to get in line early or risk long delays.
4. Negotiate smarter: Some OEMs may offer alternative sourcing strategies or component substitutions that reduce tariff exposure. Ask what’s on the table.

The fleets that move fast and plan smart will have a clear edge when these tariffs kick in. The ones that wait? They’ll be left with fewer options, longer delays, and higher costs they can’t pass on.