Japanese carmakers post higher Q1 U.S. sales ahead of Trump tariffs
FILE: Cars for export are parked at a port in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
NEW YORK, United States — Six Japanese automakers on Tuesday reported higher vehicle sales in the U.S. market for the first quarter of 2025 as some consumers apparently bought cars or trucks before President Donald Trump’s auto tariffs take effect.
U.S. vehicle sales by the Japanese companies rose 4.5 percent from a year earlier to some 1.5 million units.
Toyota Motor Corp.’s sales increased 0.9 percent to 570,269 units.
Sales of Toyota’s Tacoma pickup truck, assembled in Mexico and imported into the United States, nearly tripled to 59,825 units.
“Some customers took tariffs into account in deciding whether to buy,” a company official said.
READ: Trump’s latest auto tariffs explained: What car buyers should know this year
The company saw sales of its flagship RAV4 SUV fall 7.5 percent to 115,402 units.
Sales at Honda Motor Co. grew 5.3 percent to 351,577 units. Those of its HR-V SUV, manufactured in Mexico, expanded 7.6 percent to 40,944 units. Those of the CR-V, a popular SUV, climbed 8.7 percent to 103,325 units.
Nissan Motor Co.’s sales went up 5.7 percent to 267,085 units thanks to strong demand for inexpensive models.
Subaru Corp. saw its sales expand 9.1 percent to 166,957 units, and sales at Mazda Motor Corp. rose 10.2 percent to 110,316 units. Sales at Mitsubishi Motors Corp. climbed 11.4 percent to 31,637 units.
