Trump wants 200% tariff on foreign cars, here’s how to tell where a car was made

Bogan: Former President Trump is warning automakers not to move their production to Mexico. During a campaign speech in Wisconsin, he said he’d put a 200% tariff on vehicles that are made south of the border. 

Trump: “They think they’re going to build them cheap and sell them into our country and destroy Michigan and all these wonderful states that we’re not going to happen. We’ll put a tariff of 200% on if we have to. We’re not going to let it happen. We’re not letting those cars come into the United States and destroy our car industry, you won’t have anything left.” 

Bogan: According to Reuters, about 3 million vehicles came into the United States from Mexico in 2023. About half belonged to Ford, Stellantis and General Motors. 

Former President Trump previously said he’d put a 100% tariff on imported cars and trucks. 

According to the Tax Policy Center, if Trump went through with this it would increase the price of imported and domestic vehicles, new and used. The TPC also said it could lead to layoffs for American workers. President Biden placed a 100% tariff on electric vehicles made in China because he said the country was subsidizing the extraordinarily low prices in order to get a foothold in the market. 

There are multiple ways to learn where a vehicle was made, both before or after it’s bought. The easiest is searching the VIN. 

If the VIN starts with a 1, 4, or 5 it was made in America. If it starts with another number or letter it was made somewhere else. The country of origin could be as close as Canada or Mexico or as far as Asia. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a VIN decoder which provides detailed information about a car. 

Searching cars from a local dealership can be enlightening. 

For instance the Ford Bronco is made in Mexico, along with the Chevy Blazer. Toyota Corollas with standard gas engines are often built in Blue Springs Mississippi. Corolla hybrids are built in Japan.