Suppliers scramble to respond to looming US auto parts tariffs

Seoul, April 11: South Korean auto parts suppliers are scrambling to respond to new US tariffs on imported vehicles and automotive parts, industry insiders said on Friday, arguing the tariffs not only pose a serious challenge to automakers, including local industry leader Hyundai Motor Group, but also threaten to disrupt the broader industry supply chain.

The United States' Donald Trump administration began imposing a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles last week and is set to extend the same rate to auto parts beginning May 3, a move that has disrupted production planning and investment strategies across the sector, reports Yonhap news agency.

While much of the recent attention has focused on finished vehicle exports, South Korea's parts suppliers are also grappling with mounting uncertainties and risks, according to industry officials.

"We are currently reviewing the possibility of increasing production at our U.S. facility in Alabama," said a manager at a company based in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, while requesting anonymity for himself and his company. "We have launched an internal task force to review practical responses, and we are in constant communication with Hyundai Motor Group to coordinate strategies."

He noted that the company's products are used in the production of about 320,000 engines annually for Hyundai Motor Group's vehicles in the U.S.

"We are not holding onto optimistic hopes that the auto tariffs will be rescinded. Instead, we are preparing for the worst," the official said. "The automakers will not be able to shoulder all of the costs related to tariffs, so we are also reviewing our own measures."

While Hyundai Motor Group may have the financial resources to temporarily absorb tariff-related costs, suppliers are concerned that many smaller firms may not survive without price increases, which would inevitably undermine their competitiveness, especially in the U.S., leading to possible declines in their sales and profitability.

Hyundai Motor Co. announced last week that it will freeze prices of all new vehicles sold in the United States through early June, a move aimed at easing consumer concerns over rising costs following the new duties.

Another supplier in North Gyeongsang Province echoed similar concerns.

"There is no clear solution other than expanding local production in the U.S., but it is not something that can be done overnight. Labor and operating costs are much higher there," an official at the parts manufacturer said, asking not to be identified.

According to the official, the company operates a plant in Savannah, Georgia, and currently splits its U.S. supplies 50:50 between shipments from Korea and local production. The company's parts are used in the production of some 2.8 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles annually.

"Auto manufacturers and suppliers are still analyzing the situation," she said. "For now, we are maintaining current level operations and waiting to see if the U.S. government possibly announces a grace period or a reversal before the May 3 deadline."

The uncertainty is further complicated by the unpredictability of the U.S. trade policy.

The South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced this week that it will funnel additional liquidity of 2 trillion won ($1.35 billion) into the local automotive industry facing headwinds from U.S. tariffs on car imports. Automobiles are South Korea's top export item to the U.S.

The value of South Korea's auto exports to America reached US$34.7 billion last year, accounting for nearly half of the country's total auto exports, according to government data. The country exported $8.2 billion worth of auto parts in 2024.

Reader Comments

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James K.

This tariff situation is really concerning for the whole industry. I work at a small supplier in Michigan and we're already feeling the ripple effects. Hope they find a solution soon 🤞

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Sarah L.

Interesting article! While I understand the need to protect domestic industries, 25% seems extremely high. Couldn't they phase it in more gradually to give companies time to adjust?

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Mike T.

The Alabama plant expansion mentioned here makes sense. More US production = more US jobs. Short term pain for long term gain maybe?

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Anna P.

As someone who just bought a Hyundai, I'm worried about what this means for future maintenance costs. Will parts become more expensive? 😟

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David R.

The article mentions $1.35 billion in support from South Korea - that's significant! Shows how serious this is for their economy. Global trade is so interconnected these days.

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Lisa M.

While I appreciate the detailed reporting, I wish there was more analysis of how this compares to previous trade disputes. Is this tariff unusually high historically?

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Tom W.

The supply chain disruptions could be massive. This isn't just about Korea-US trade - it'll affect dealers, repair shops, and consumers worldwide. Hope cooler heads prevail.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.