Audi, the premium brand under Volkswagen, expects that ongoing trade talks between the European Union and the United States will provide clarity on car import tariffs in the near future, CEO Gernot Doellner said at an industry event on Friday.
The current 25% import tariff on European-made cars into the U.S. is a concern for automakers, particularly as they assess their strategies for the U.S. market.
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“We expect to have clarity on this in the coming months and also regulations that will make what is currently on the horizon more bearable or manageable,” Doellner stated, though he did not provide specific details about the nature of potential regulatory changes.
The import tariffs have led some European automakers to adjust their outlooks for 2025, as the trade tensions continue to affect the automotive sector. Audi, which does not currently have production in the U.S., is closely monitoring the situation.
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Doellner confirmed that a decision regarding U.S. production would be made this year, with considerations including the possibility of building a dedicated Audi factory or utilizing existing Volkswagen production facilities.
Rival BMW had a more optimistic outlook, suggesting that the U.S. might reduce its car import tariffs by July. This follows a recent limited bilateral trade agreement announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which lowered U.S. tariffs on British car exports while maintaining a 10% tariff on British goods.
Source: Reuters