Auto Industry Apocalypse? 60% China Tariffs Could Add $18,000 to EV Prices, Force 120,000 Layoffs

A confidential Ford Motor Company assessment obtained by CNBC reveals catastrophic scenarios for the auto industry under proposed Trump tariffs:

Leaked Report Findings:

  • Cost Breakdown
    • Battery packs: +$8,200 (60% tariff on CATL imports)
    • Electronics: +$6,500 (steering chips, infotainment)
    • Raw materials: +$3,300 (graphite, lithium compounds)
  • Production Impacts
    • 45-day plant shutdowns at 12 US facilities
    • 3-year delay for $25,000 EV models
    • 120,000 union job losses projected

Industry Emergency Response:

  • Tesla: Fast-tracking Mexican Gigafactory expansion
  • GM: $2B parts stockpiling initiative
  • Stellantis: Renegotiating Chinese JV terms

Supply Chain Map: