The car manufacturer Volkswagen has reacted directly to the punitive tariffs announced by US President Trump and is stopping deliveries to the USA.
According to US media reports, the German car manufacturer has informed its dealers in the USA that rail shipments of vehicles from Mexico will be temporarily halted. Cars arriving by ship from Europe will be held at the port for the time being.
A company spokesperson confirmed the delivery stop, saying it was a “temporary adjustment”. The company will work with logistics companies to optimize vehicle transport as soon as the customs situation has stabilized.
According to the reports, Volkswagen intends to pass on the new car tariffs directly to customers and charge a “destination charge” (delivery surcharge) in addition to the sales price in future. VW did not provide any information on the amount of the surcharge or when it would apply. US President Trump had previously imposed punitive tariffs of 25% on foreign car manufacturers.
Last year, the core brand Volkswagen sold just under 380,000 new cars in the USA. This corresponded to 8% of global sales. Almost two thirds of the vehicles sold in the USA are imported, most of them from Mexico.
The most important export port for VW is Emden. From there, car carriers chartered by the manufacturer drive across the Atlantic and are unloaded in Baltimore, Jacksonville or Houston as required.
