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What Tariffs Mean for Racing Parts, Cars, and You

The real cost of racing: what new tariffs mean for parts pricing in 2025

Tariff Updates on Steel, Aluminum, and Auto Parts: What It Means for Racers, Shops, and Customers

The U.S. government is updating tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automotive parts. These changes affect everything from the price of raw materials to the final cost of performance parts on your car. Whether you’re a racer, DIY builder, or shop owner, these tariff updates hit close to home.

Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Steel and aluminum are the backbone of performance racing parts. From brackets and brake calipers to roll cages and heat exchangers, many items rely on imported metals.

  • Tariffs could expand to cover more products, with fees as high as 50%.
  • When importers pay more, manufacturers and distributors adjust their pricing.
  • That trickles down to the customer buying parts for their car.

In the past, brands like Wilwood, Bassett, and Total Power held pricing steady year after year. Today, we’re seeing price increases multiple times per year—sometimes even daily—because raw material costs shift so quickly.

Japan Deal: Lower Tariffs on Cars and Parts

The U.S. and Japan have agreed to lower tariffs:

  • Tariffs on Japanese vehicles drop from 25% to 15%.
  • Tariffs on Japanese parts are also lower, meaning imported performance products could cost less.
  • Japan will also recognize U.S. safety standards, making it easier for American parts to enter their market.

For customers here, this could mean more competitive pricing on Japanese-made performance parts.

U.K. Deal: Limited Tariff Reductions

The U.K. secured a smaller win:

  • Tariffs on U.K. cars fall from 27.5% to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles sold each year.
  • Auto parts tied to those cars also qualify for lower tariffs.
  • However, steel and aluminum from the U.K. remain at a 25% fee, keeping costs higher.

This means only certain vehicles and their related parts will see real price drops.

Where This Hits Customers and Businesses

  • For business owners and shops: Expect pricing volatility. Suppliers may pass along increases quickly when steel or aluminum tariffs rise. Staying connected to your distributors is key.
  • For racers and consumers: Parts that once had stable pricing now move with the market. Your cost for brake kits, wheels, or suspension components could change several times in a season.

Bottom Line

Tariffs are more than a government policy—they’re a real factor in the price of racing parts. From Wilwood brake calipers to Bassett racing wheels, every change in steel or aluminum costs ripples down to the customer.

For racers, this means budgeting carefully and buying strategically when prices are stable. For shops, it means watching supplier updates closely and planning inventory around expected increases.

👉 Where the rubber meets the road: tariffs shape the true cost of performance. Staying informed is the best way to keep your race program—or your business—on track.

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