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Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
How Mazda Plans To Outsmart America's Harsh Tariffs
Manufacturers importing vehicles and related components into the United States are all trying to find inventive ways to mitigate the effect of the Trump administration's tariffs, which are expected to increase the price of a new car by almost $2,000. Among the hardest-hit brands are European and Japanese, as they rely more heavily on imports. Mazda is part of this group, which is why the Japanese marque has hatched a new plan to reduce the impact of tariffs in the USA, but it may not be one you expect. Mazda's plan involved increasing sales in its domestic market of Japan by a third. Currently, the brand sells around 150,000 models annually in Japan, but it wants to boost that number to 200,000 units "as early as possible," reports Automotive News. Using its experience of growing the brand in the United States, Mazda will grow domestic sales, too. This process will go beyond its range of cars, as Mazda will also optimize its sales network and relook at its marketing strategy. "Considering various situations including the most recent tariffs, we think there is a pressing need to rebolster and accelerate our domestic business," said Tadashi Miura, Mazda president. After the USA, Japan is Mazda's biggest market, but it only makes up approximately 10 percent of the brand's global sales. Five other Japanese brands all outsell Mazda domestically, these being Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, and Daihatsu. It all means that there is room for Mazda to increase sales in Japan. The 25% tariffs impact most of Mazda's US lineup, from the CX-5 to the CX-70 and CX-90, all popular crossovers. These models are produced in Japan, as is the MX-5 Miata sports car. An exception is the CX-50, which became the first Mazda to be produced at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Jointly owned by Mazda and Toyota, the plant also builds the subcompact Toyota Corolla Cross. As Toyota's relationship with Mazda deepens, the possibility exists for more Mazda models to be produced at the Huntsville plant. However, this could take a lot of time, which is why it's wise for Mazda to look at multiple opportunities, including the drive to boost sales in Japan. Last month, Mazda sales declined by over 6% in the USA compared to May 2024, indicating that the effect of tariffs are already being felt, just as the brand predicted. It remains to be seen how quickly and effectively Mazda can halt this trend, and that may come down to its initiative in Japan. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
How Mazda Plans To Outsmart America's Harsh Tariffs
Innovative ideas will help smaller automakers weather the tariff storm Manufacturers importing vehicles and related components into the United States are all trying to find inventive ways to mitigate the effect of the Trump administration's tariffs, which are expected to increase the price of a new car by almost $2,000. Among the hardest-hit brands are European and Japanese, as they rely more heavily on imports. Mazda is part of this group, which is why the Japanese marque has hatched a new plan to reduce the impact of tariffs in the USA, but it may not be one you expect. Mazda Will Shift Focus To Domestic Market Source: Mazda Mazda's plan involved increasing sales in its domestic market of Japan by a third. Currently, the brand sells around 150,000 models annually in Japan, but it wants to boost that number to 200,000 units 'as early as possible,' reports Automotive News. Using its experience of growing the brand in the United States, Mazda will grow domestic sales, too. This process will go beyond its range of cars, as Mazda will also optimize its sales network and relook at its marketing strategy. 'Considering various situations including the most recent tariffs, we think there is a pressing need to rebolster and accelerate our domestic business,' said Tadashi Miura, Mazda president. After the USA, Japan is Mazda's biggest market, but it only makes up approximately 10 percent of the brand's global sales. Five other Japanese brands all outsell Mazda domestically, these being Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, and Daihatsu. It all means that there is room for Mazda to increase sales in Japan. Most US-Bound Mazdas Are Built In Japan Mazda CX-5 Mazda CX-90 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata – ND Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The 25% tariffs impact most of Mazda's US lineup, from the CX-5 to the CX-70 and CX-90, all popular crossovers. These models are produced in Japan, as is the MX-5 Miata sports car. An exception is the CX-50, which became the first Mazda to be produced at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Jointly owned by Mazda and Toyota, the plant also builds the subcompact Toyota Corolla Cross. As Toyota's relationship with Mazda deepens, the possibility exists for more Mazda models to be produced at the Huntsville plant. However, this could take a lot of time, which is why it's wise for Mazda to look at multiple opportunities, including the drive to boost sales in Japan. Last month, Mazda sales declined by over 6% in the USA compared to May 2024, indicating that the effect of tariffs are already being felt, just as the brand predicted. It remains to be seen how quickly and effectively Mazda can halt this trend, and that may come down to its initiative in Japan. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Gizmodo
As Tesla Sales Plummet in the U.S. and Europe, Elon Reportedly Fires His Top Salesman
Elon Musk has fired Omead Afshar, the head of Tesla's sales and manufacturing operations in North America and Europe, multiple outlets reported Thursday. The apparent expulsion of the top exec comes as the billionaire's car company flounders under plummeting sales in both the U.S. and the EU. Afshar, who was considered one of the more senior executives at the company, reported directly to Musk and has also worked at Musk's rocket company, SpaceX. On Thursday, Bloomberg reported that Afshar had 'left' the company, but did not provide details about why. Not long afterward, Forbes reported that Afshar had been let go by Musk, citing sources with knowledge of the situation. CNBC later claimed to have confirmed the news. Gizmodo reached out to Tesla for more information. The circumstances surrounding Afshar's departure are unclear (and, again, the company hasn't confirmed his termination yet), though there are plenty of reasons why Musk might be angry about his company's sales operations. In recent months, the number of people buying Musk's cars has continued to drop at a staggering rate. In April, Automotive News reported that Tesla sales had fallen 16 percent in the U.S., year-over-year. On Wednesday, Cox Automotive, which provides car dealerships with business intelligence, projected that Tesla sales were expected to dip another 21 percent during this quarter. Tesla has also seen humiliating losses across Europe. On Wednesday, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association reported that sales of Teslas in 30 European countries had fallen 28% in May. That continues a trend that has been building for some time. Throughout the first part of this year, sales of the car dropped by double digits throughout the continent—a cratering that represents the single biggest sales decline in the company's history. Ironically, many onlookers have attributed Tesla's struggles to Musk himself, whose political activities—in both the U.S. and Europe—have angered lots of people and inspired hatred against him and his companies. Specifically, Musk's role in DOGE, the Trump administration initiative to shrink the federal government, as well as his meddling in European politics, have put a target on his (and Tesla's) back. In the U.S., the #TeslaTakedown protest movement saw thousands of Americans take to the streets to denounce Musk's role in the White House, while in Europe, protests against Musk have also taken place. There are, of course, other potential factors in Tesla's plummeting sales numbers. In Europe, increased competition from Chinese manufacturers and newer EV brands means trouble for the company. It's a more EV-saturated market in Europe these days than when Tesla originally got into the game, and, with more choices, there are more opportunities for customers to say 'no thanks' to the billionaire's brand.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
World's largest EV maker BYD slows production
BYD has reportedly reduced production at its Chinese factories after significant price cuts have seen slower growth than planned in the company's home market. According to Automotive News, BYD – which overtook Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker in 2024 – has made the unprecedented move of cancelling night shifts at some of its plants. The report suggests the automaker has reduced capacity by as much as one third at some of its plants, suspending plans for new product assembly lines as part of the move. One source told Automotive News BYD has missed targets to grow sales from the 4.27 million it sold globally in 2024 – including 20,458 in Australia – to 5.5 million in 2025. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert By the end of May 2025 BYD had sold 1.76 million cars globally, the rate working out to be 4.23 million for the full calendar year. BYD would not confirm the slowdown or comment when approached by Automotive News. Making BYD's performance less obvious has been a dramatic global sales slide for Tesla including falls in Europe, China and Australia, with the Toyota RAV4 knocking off the Tesla Model Y as the world's best-selling vehicle. In the first three months of 2025, Tesla production fell to 362,615 units compared to 433,371 over the same period the previous year, with revenue falling 66 per cent. Yet China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) production figures for BYD revealed growth of only 0.2 per cent in May 2025, the lowest growth figures since February 2024, which had fewer production days as the month was disrupted by national holidays. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Data from the China Automotive Dealer Association (CADA) showed BYD held 3.21 months' worth of stock at its China dealers compared to the 1.38 industry average, again confirming slower than expected sales. The automaker exclusively builds electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs and PHEVs), having ended production of pure combustion-powered vehicles in 2022. In a move seen previously in the automotive industry in the United States and Australia, the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce has called for car manufacturers to stop loading up dealers with excess stock. The news also comes as Chinese automakers have been accused of recording sales of new cars in China to obtain new-car financial subsidies, but then shipping those cars overseas as 'used', inflating Chinese sales figures and sales growth. According to Reuters, the issue came to light when Great Wall Motor (GWM) chairman Wei Jianjun was critical of the practice – known as selling 'zero mileage cars' – in May. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The practice has also put downward pressure on new vehicle prices, sparking a price war to reduce the margin on each vehicle, ironically making sales of zero-mileage cars more enticing. The BYD Seagull – a city-sized EV hatch which could also get a start in Australian showrooms – was overtaken in May 2025 by the Geely Geome Xingyuan, offered with both EV and hybrid versions, as China's best-selling vehicle. After launching here exclusively with EVs, BYD introduced its first PHEVs to the Australian market last year. BYD will take over the local distribution from EVDirect on July 1, 2025, with ex-Honda Australia director Stephen Collins announced as chief operating officer earlier this month. The company's Australian sales are up 94.7 per cent to the end of May 2025, led by the Ford Ranger-rivalling Shark 6 pickup with a raft of new models – including the Atto 2 small SUV and the Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV – confirmed for local showrooms. MORE: Everything BYD
7NEWS
a day ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
World's largest EV maker BYD slows production
BYD has reportedly reduced production at its Chinese factories after significant price cuts have seen slower growth than planned in the company's home market. According to Automotive News, BYD – which overtook Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) maker in 2024 – has made the unprecedented move of cancelling night shifts at some of its plants. The report suggests the automaker has reduced capacity by as much as one third at some of its plants, suspending plans for new product assembly lines as part of the move. One source told Automotive News BYD has missed targets to grow sales from the 4.27 million it sold globally in 2024 – including 20,458 in Australia – to 5.5 million in 2025. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. By the end of May 2025 BYD had sold 1.76 million cars globally, the rate working out to be 4.23 million for the full calendar year. BYD would not confirm the slowdown or comment when approached by Automotive News. Making BYD's performance less obvious has been a dramatic global sales slide for Tesla including falls in Europe, China and Australia, with the Toyota RAV4 knocking off the Tesla Model Y as the world's best-selling vehicle. In the first three months of 2025, Tesla production fell to 362,615 units compared to 433,371 over the same period the previous year, with revenue falling 66 per cent. Yet China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) production figures for BYD revealed growth of only 0.2 per cent in May 2025, the lowest growth figures since February 2024, which had fewer production days as the month was disrupted by national holidays. Data from the China Automotive Dealer Association (CADA) showed BYD held 3.21 months' worth of stock at its China dealers compared to the 1.38 industry average, again confirming slower than expected sales. The automaker exclusively builds electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EVs and PHEVs), having ended production of pure combustion-powered vehicles in 2022. In a move seen previously in the automotive industry in the United States and Australia, the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce has called for car manufacturers to stop loading up dealers with excess stock. The news also comes as Chinese automakers have been accused of recording sales of new cars in China to obtain new-car financial subsidies, but then shipping those cars overseas as 'used', inflating Chinese sales figures and sales growth. According to Reuters, the issue came to light when Great Wall Motor (GWM) chairman Wei Jianjun was critical of the practice – known as selling 'zero mileage cars' – in May. The practice has also put downward pressure on new vehicle prices, sparking a price war to reduce the margin on each vehicle, ironically making sales of zero-mileage cars more enticing. The BYD Seagull – a city-sized EV hatch which could also get a start in Australian showrooms – was overtaken in May 2025 by the Geely Geome Xingyuan, offered with both EV and hybrid versions, as China's best-selling vehicle. After launching here exclusively with EVs, BYD introduced its first PHEVs to the Australian market last year. BYD will take over the local distribution from EVDirect on July 1, 2025, with ex-Honda Australia director Stephen Collins announced as chief operating officer earlier this month. The company's Australian sales are up 94.7 per cent to the end of May 2025, led by the Ford Ranger -rivalling Shark 6 pickup with a raft of new models – including the Atto 2 small SUV and the Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV – confirmed for local showrooms.
