By Adam Campbell
British Columbians interested in purchasing a vehicle might want to reach out to a dealership soon to lock in pricing as uncertainty climbs over tariffs.
That’s according to the CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C.
“This has been a big cloud of uncertainty,” said Blair Qualey, speaking to BIV the day after the U.S. administration’s Wednesday announcement that previously announced 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian automobile imports and parts would be going into effect.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Thursday that Canada would match such U.S. tariffs, with the exception of auto parts.
“It’s been sitting over all Canadians for some time,” Qualey said.
“I suppose we could say it could have been worse yesterday than what we saw.”
The precise implications of tariffs on B.C.’s auto industry are still up in the air, he said. This includes pricing for manufacturers, as well as cost and inventory effects for consumers.
But it seems trade tensions have already injected some uncertainty into consumers.
