Vehicle Remarketing Logo

Tariffs Boost New Vehicle Prices in April

Ever since President Trump announced auto tariffs 47 days ago, the cost of new cars has been steadily climbing.

Squiggly-wiggly blue horizontal bar graph.

Since April 2023, as new-vehicle inventory recovered from the COVID-era shortage, new-vehicle prices have been mostly flat year over year.

Source: Cox Automotive

4 min to read


New-vehicle ATP increased in April to $48,699, a sharp 2.5% month-over-month bump, according to Kelley Blue Book report released May 12. 

April typically delivers a monthly increase of 1.1%. In the past decade, only April 2020 produced a larger month-over-month increase, at 2.7%.

Ad Loading...

Other Key takeaways from the April report include:

  • New-vehicle prices in April were higher year over year by 1.1%, an increase below long-term averages but higher than in recent months. Over the long term, new-vehicle prices typically rise more than 3% year over year, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. Since April 2023, however, as new-vehicle inventory recovered from the COVID-era shortage, new-vehicle prices have been mostly flat year over year.

  • The new-vehicle sales pace in April was 17.3 million. The sales pace was lower than March but the strongest April since 2021. Amid the buying frenzy, new-vehicle sales incentives fell to 6.7% of ATP, down from 7% in March and at the lowest point since the summer of 2024. Before April, the six-month average was 7.4% of ATP.

  • The Compact SUV segment, one of the most popular segments and highly exposed to new import tariffs, saw vehicle prices that were mostly flat monthly and year over year at $36,416. Incentives and discounts declined in April to 7.8% of ATP, down from 8.2% in March. Since April 2024, incentives in the Compact SUV segment have averaged 9.1% of ATP. Similarly, April transaction prices held mostly steady monthly in the subcompact SUV segment, but incentives also declined.

  • Among core volume brands, the results in April were mixed. Audi, Land Rover and Volvo saw higher ATPs and lower incentives than March. Three General Motors brands – Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – also posted higher ATPs, with little change to incentives. Buick saw lower prices and higher incentives in April. Acura and BMW also held prices lower and increased incentive spending compared to March.

  • Sales of Porsche and Land Rover models accelerated in April, as both brands face higher future costs since 100% of their respective vehicles are imported. ATPs for Porsche led the industry last month at above $114,000, with Land Rover just behind at $113,000. April was the best sales month in 2025 for both brands, pushing the overall industry ATP higher.

  • In April, Ford advertised heavily on a message of “holding prices steady” and celebrated its “built in America” leadership. Ford's brand prices and incentives in April mainly were unchanged compared to March, according to Kelley Blue Book data. One standout: The popular, Mexico-built Maverick pickup truck saw lower prices in April, and incentive spending increased to an all-time high of 6.6% of ATP. Sales were strong: A record 20,183 were sold in April.

“Ever since President Trump announced auto tariffs 47 days ago, the cost of new cars has steadily climbed," said Erin Keaing, an executive analyst with Cox Automotive, in a news release. "Although there was a surge in shopping and sales early on, the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices haven’t budged. The pricing landscape varies depending on the automaker, car segment, and specific models – some are cutting incentives, others are in high demand, and the supply isn’t evenly distributed across the board.”

Electric Vehicle Prices Reach Highest Point of Year in April, Incentive Decline Further

The Kelley Blue Book team initially estimates new EV prices in April to be $59,255, higher year over year by 3.7% and higher than March by 0.2%. The March EV ATP was revised lower to $59,132.

EV incentives declined for the second consecutive month in April, dropping to 11.6% of ATP. EV incentives peaked in November 2024 at 13.9% of ATP.  

Ad Loading...

In May, market-leader Tesla sold more than 45,000 EVs, the brand’s best month of 2025, thanks mostly to sales of the freshened Model Y. Tesla’s average ATP increased month over month and year over year in April, reaching $56,120, although Cybertruck, at one point the best-selling product transacting over $100,000, had an ATP of $89,247. Sales of Cybertruck fell below 2,000 units for the first time in a year.

New EV sales were lower month over month by nearly 6%, according to initial estimates from Kelley Blue Book. Year-to-date EV sales in 2025 are higher by 5.4%.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Operations

Vertical dark blue graphs showing new and used EV sales
Fleetby News/Media ReleaseJune 16, 2026

Used EVs Strengthen Overall Electric Vehicle Market

The latest sales data point to several reasons for the divergent trends in new and used EVs that can factor into fleet cycling decisions.

Read More →
A double-decker stinger car hauler carries a full load of new white vehicles along an interstate highway.
FleetJune 1, 2026

The Data-Driven Haul: 5 Ways AI is Leveling the Playing Field in Auto Transport

Large and small transport fleets are becoming more competitive as predictive analytics and real-time data inform the logistics decision chain.

Read More →
Two trucking industry workers talk in front of semi-trucks beside text reading, “The issue isn’t lack of safety technology — it’s lack of alignment.”
FleetMay 12, 2026

How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety

Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Image of three award winners at 2026 CAR
Operationsby Faith HowellMay 6, 2026

2026 CAR Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence

CAR’s annual Fleet Remarketing Awards opened a reimagined 2026 conference designed to bridge the worlds of fleet management and automotive remarketing.

Read More →
A manual, traditional logistics dispatch center versus a futuristic AI-driven illustrative diagram of a future logistics operation.
OperationsMay 1, 2026

The Predictive Pivot: How AI and Data Are Redefining Auto Logistics in 2026

AI is no longer a luxury but the baseline for profitability in 2026. Auto haulers that adopt these tools now will quickly outpace those using manual workflows and taking a wait-and-see approach.

Read More →
A man standing in front of transparent tech screen with a the outline of a delivery truck.
TechnologyMay 1, 2026

The Predictive Pivot: How AI and Data Are Redefining Auto Logistics in 2026

AI is no longer a luxury but the baseline for profitability in 2026. Auto haulers that adopt these tools now will quickly outpace those that use manual workflows or take a wait-and-see approach.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
collage of conference speakers
Operationsby Chris BrownApril 30, 2026

CAR 2026 Recap Part 2: Closing the Gap Between Data & Remarketing Value

The second half of CAR 2026 examined how fleets can translate lifecycle strategy, vehicle data, and market shifts into higher real-world results.

Read More →
Collage of CAR speakers
Used Vehicle Valuesby Chris BrownApril 27, 2026

CAR2026 in Two Words: Velocity, Value (Part 1)

The 2026 Conference of Automotive Remarketing convened with a mandate to involve a new constituency — fleet managers — and an updated mission to demonstrate unrealized value in de-fleeted vehicles.

Read More →
Graphic promoting CAR 2026 roundtables featuring headshots of five speakers and topics including Wall Street trends, fleet data, upfits, fair market value, and AI in remarketing.
Operationsby Chris BrownMarch 31, 2026

CAR 2026: Get the Wall Street Update on the Key Players in Remarketing

From a Wall Street analyst's take on remarketing's key players to whether fleets need their own version of Carfax, CAR 2026's afternoon roundtables will answer key operational and industry questions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promotional graphic for CAR 2026 panel on data-driven value in commercial vehicles, featuring five industry experts and session details for April 16 in Cleveland.
Fleetby Chris BrownMarch 31, 2026

CAR 2026 Session to Uncover the Missing Data That's Costing Fleets at Disposal

Work trucks lose value at remarketing, not because they aren't worth more, but because the data to prove it rarely makes it to the auction.

Read More →