The UK’s car industry calls itself “the engine room of Britain’s international trade,” proudly stating that it generates £1 in every £8 the country makes from exporting goods. But now, some of Britain’s biggest car brands—including Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Mini, and Aston Martin—are bracing for impact as Donald Trump prepares to slap a 25% tariff on cars imported into the US. These new tariffs, set to take effect on April 3, could make British-made cars a lot pricier for American buyers.
In 2024, British factories churned out nearly 780,000 cars, and 80% of them were shipped overseas. Of those, the top three destinations were the EU, the US, and China, with the US alone accounting for 16.9% of exports. By comparison, only 18,000 American-made vehicles were imported into the UK last year.
If the tariffs go ahead, UK carmakers could see major price hikes on their exports, though some hope a post-Brexit trade deal with the US might soften the blow.
Which Brands Could Be Hit the Hardest?
- Bentley (owned by Volkswagen) exported 3,180 cars to the US in 2024—nearly a third of its total deliveries. The company says open trade is vital for the UK auto industry and warns that price increases will likely be passed on to buyers.
- Rolls-Royce, which builds all its cars in Goodwood, sold 5,712 vehicles last year, with the US being its biggest market. The company says it’s still analysing how the tariffs might impact its business.
- Aston Martin relies heavily on the US, which accounted for a third of its £1.6bn revenue last year. With sales already down 9% from 2023, a 25% tariff could hit hard.
- McLaren sent 787 of its high-performance supercars to North America in 2023—by far its biggest overseas market. The company saw a surge in US demand for models like the 750S in early 2024.
- Mini, which builds some of its cars in Oxford, shipped just over 26,000 vehicles to the US in 2024. However, sales were already down 21% from the previous year, and BMW (Mini’s parent company) is pushing for reduced trade barriers.
Who’s Safe from the Tariffs?
Some brands won’t be affected much—like Nissan and Toyota. Nissan’s massive Sunderland plant produces cars for Europe but doesn’t export to the US. Meanwhile, Toyota’s UK-made Corolla hybrids are also mainly built for European buyers.
What Happens Next?
If these tariffs kick in, expect luxury car prices in the US to rise—at least for British-made models. High-end brands may be able to pass the cost onto wealthy customers, but for others, the price hikes could impact sales. Automakers are watching closely to see if the UK and US can strike a trade deal before April 3.
Would you pay extra for a Bentley or an Aston Martin if tariffs pushed the price up? Let us know in the comments!
