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New Subaru Ascent May Get Tariff Price Increase Even Though It’s US-Built

Even though the new 2019 Subaru Ascent is made in the U.S. it could still get a price increase because of U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles.
2019 Subaru Ascent, New Subaru SUV, 3-Row SUV, 2019 Forester, 2019 Outback

Last week, we published a story reporting the 25 percent tariff on auto imports by the Trump administration would increase the cost of every vehicle sold in the U.S. That means a Subaru Forester, Crosstrek and WRX/STI could cost $5,800 more than it costs now. But a recent report by Automotive News says it's important to know where the car is manufactured.

Just because a car is built in the U.S., doesn't make it safe from tariffs. Automotive News reports, automakers like Subaru Corporation may be forced to spread price increases from tariffs across their entire model lineup.

In Subaru’s case, the Japan-built Forester’s price increase will likely be broken up and added to other models. Although the new 2019 Ascent 3-Row family hauler is built in the U.S., it may suffer from a price increase to make up for foreign-built models, Forester, Crosstrek, WRX, WRX STI and BRZ made in Japan. The Outback Impreza and Legacy are also built at the plant in Lafayette, Indiana and will also likely get a price increase.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers says a 25 percent U.S. tariff on imported passenger vehicles if imposed on national security grounds, would cost American consumers $45 Billion annually (based on 2017 auto sales), or $5,800 per vehicle.

According to analysts at Baird Equity Research, the average price increase for automakers with all foreign-built lineups will be around $6,000, which is a significant amount to spread out. They say even US-built cars will have some added cost, because of their foreign parts content. Baird analysts predict that the average cost increase will be around $1000-$4000 $4,000 per vehicle sold by automakers like Subaru with a mix of locally produced vehicles and imports.

If you plan on buying a new US-built 2019 Subaru Outback, Ascent, Impreza, or Legacy, the cost will likely go up as Subaru Corp will be forced to spread the added tariff cost across their US-built lineup. The new Forester, Crosstrek, WRX, WRX STI and BRZ made in Japan, will also go up, but just not as much as Subaru spreads the cost across their entire stable of vehicles.

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Photo credit: Subaru USA

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Comments

SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT (not verified)    July 19, 2018 - 11:31PM

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Waiting to make a buying decision on the 2019 RAV4 or Forester.

One SoCal dealer manager said that Subaru has been building 2019 Foresters at the Fuji-Yajima plant in Japan but has delayed exporting them?
I don't think the delay is related to the proposed tariffs, unless Subaru decides to send the already built Foresters for sale in another country (Russia, etc.) to avoid the tariffs if implemented?

If tariffs are placed on parts, this will hurt Lafayette production as the vast majority of the content is foreign sourced, whether that is Japan or other countries.

Tariffs will all but kill Subaru's sales in the U,S,, at least in the short term and the dealers who sell and service Subaru's, again the proposed tariffs on any imported parts that are used for service/repair.

Huge price increases for everybody..

Hold on tight and give the Barkleys some extra food so they can make it through the winter!

SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT