Summary of planned model transfers to the USA
- Since his return as President of the United States in 2025, Donald Trump has repeatedly mentioned the need to bring automobile production back to US soil. The strong signal that allowed him to move from words to action was the imposition of new tariffs on imported vehicles, particularly those from Europe, China, and Japan, and even from Mexico and Canada, with which the United States had long-standing partnership agreements.
- Nearly one year after the beginning of the second Trump presidency, where do we stand on the issue of relocation?
• European Premium carmakers have been the most receptive. Volvo has decided to partially transfer the production of XC60 (60,000 per year starting in 2026) and XC90 (50,000 starting in 2028) in the United States, alongside the EX90 and the Polestar 3. Mercedes has decided to do the same with the GLC in the United States at a rate of 65,000 per year starting in 2027. BMW has announced that its American plant in Spartanburg will produce six different electric models by 2030. Finally, Audi has announced plans to build an assembly plant in the USA (capacity of 150,000 per year).
• GM and Stellantisalso responded favorably to the Trump administration's request. GM will transfer production of two of its key models from Mexico to the US (Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Blazer), representing 375,000 units per year. Stellantis aims to increase its US production by 50% to meet American market demands and avoid tariffs (an additional 500,000 vehicles per year). $13 billion will be invested in various US plants (including the reopening of the Belvidere - Illinois plant, which closed in 2023). Five new models will be produced locally.
• Japanese carmakers, encouraged to produce more in the USA, have not yet announced any definitive plans.