TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — At Mustafa’s Auto sales, Mustafa has already seen the impact of the tariff in the price of car parts.
“I’ve been asking auto part stores what’s going on, what’s happening? And they’re like, ‘Oh the tariff, the tariff,” said Mustafa Shamulzai.
Car dealers across T-town have been bracing for impact.
“The tariff is going to affect anything with four wheels and a motor,” said Jeff Skaggs of Competition Auto Sales. He says don’t think the impact will be isolated to imports.
“It’s going to affect anybody that has an automobile, is going to get their car worked on, thinking about buying a car, it’s going to affect everybody and not just import cars,” he said.
Prices for used cars are expected to go up as demand increases when people think twice before buying new imports.
“Impact not only the new car market but the used car market as the demand goes up for folks trying to evade that additional expense of a shipped in vehicle. You’re just going to see used car prices kind of go up,” said Chris Bonacci of Select Auto Sales.
“It’s going to make used cars worth more because there’s going to be fewer of them,” said Skaggs.
And as for parts, Mustafa says he’s seen an increase in costs even for something like an American made Chevy.
“Two months ago I used to buy a part for it for $40, now it’s like $65,” he said.
“A large number of our parts are made in China, Mexico, Canada, depending what make and model you have,” said Skaggs.
Over the past few weeks dealers have been stocking up, best they can.
“We’re trying to just get as much inventory as we can, keep our costs down and try to relay the savings to customers,” said Bonacci.
The arrival of the automotive tariff, with car lots across the country about to become daily barometers of the economy.
“It’s going to get more expensive. We better be ready,” said Shamulzai.
“I hope it doesn’t discourage people from shopping and I hope it encourages people to buy American,” said Bonacci.
