Bosch, Honda, Panasonic Energy Speak on Impact of Trump’s Tariff Plans
Automotive suppliers and manufacturers recently spoke on the potential impact of the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on their operations at CES in Las Vegas, according to a Reuters report shared by NADA.
Paul Thomas, North American president for Bosch, shared that the company could be looking at moving production of something like an electronic control unit from Malaysia to Mexico or Brazil, where the company has already established itself.
“Anyone can do the math,” Thomas said. “If it's 10%, 20%, 60% (tariffs) ... you have to say, ‘OK, how many scenarios make sense for that and which ones do we act on?’”
The company is waiting until the administration takes office on Jan. 20 before it makes any decisions, as are other suppliers and automakers.
Honda Executive Vice President Noriya Kaihara shared at CES that it’s possible the company could shift existing production in Mexico to elsewhere, depending on tariff levels—potentially to Japan.
“We have not formalized what we can do, but we are elaborating what we will be able to do,” clarified Kaihara.
Tesla’s EV battery supplier, Panasonic Energy, has already been moving more of its production to North America. But the company’s North American president, Allan Swan, said Trump’s election means it is now looking to eliminate any and all materials sourced from China in its U.S.-made batteries.
