Mike Kolias

Most of the tariff talk that we've all heard and been consuming the news over the last several weeks have not gone into effect. What you're seeing now is the effect of people's concern around the threat of tariffs.

Most of the tariff talk that we've all heard and been consuming the news over the last several weeks have not gone into effect. What you're seeing now is the effect of people's concern around the threat of tariffs.

Right now, it's like the feast before the famine, or maybe the buzz before the hangover. But what we know for sure is that March was a really strong month for car sales in general, and that was at least partly due to consumers trying to get ahead of these tariffs. We're hearing that from both dealers as well as analysts who cover the industry. So I just got off the phone with a Hyundai executive.

Right now, it's like the feast before the famine, or maybe the buzz before the hangover. But what we know for sure is that March was a really strong month for car sales in general, and that was at least partly due to consumers trying to get ahead of these tariffs. We're hearing that from both dealers as well as analysts who cover the industry. So I just got off the phone with a Hyundai executive.

That brand had its best sales in its history. And this executive said it was the busiest weekend he's seen since the federal cash for clunkers program. And that was back in 2009. So there's definitely something going on. And I don't think it's a coincidence that tariffs have been constantly in the news.

That brand had its best sales in its history. And this executive said it was the busiest weekend he's seen since the federal cash for clunkers program. And that was back in 2009. So there's definitely something going on. And I don't think it's a coincidence that tariffs have been constantly in the news.

People are assuming that some level of these tariffs is going to take effect and start to add cost into the system. And third-party analysts who track the auto sales are expecting that to have not only increased prices, but then for sales to go down. You could see a lot of people go to the used market. But, you know, we've had a nice recovery out of the pandemic.

People are assuming that some level of these tariffs is going to take effect and start to add cost into the system. And third-party analysts who track the auto sales are expecting that to have not only increased prices, but then for sales to go down. You could see a lot of people go to the used market. But, you know, we've had a nice recovery out of the pandemic.

It's likely to get upended this year if these tariffs go into effect and stick.

It's likely to get upended this year if these tariffs go into effect and stick.

You bet. Thank you.

You bet. Thank you.