Class 8 Truck Prices Set to Rise Under New Tariffs
Image courtesy of Freight Waves
October 3, 2025 – Trucking companies are bracing for higher costs as new tariffs on imported Class 8 trucks and truck parts take effect. Starting October 1, 2025, foreign-made heavy-duty trucks and components face a 25% tariff, which could make it more expensive for fleets already dealing with weak freight volumes and low rates.
Tariffs Hit Carriers at a Tough Time
“Trucks will be more expensive when we can least afford it,” said Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers at the WEX OTR Summit. Werner, ranked 18th on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of largest for-hire carriers, is just one company feeling the pinch.
Truck manufacturers are waiting for more details about how the tariffs will be applied. Volvo Group North America, which owns Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks, said it’s reviewing the plans closely. Paccar and International Motors are also monitoring the situation.
National Security Drives the Tariffs
The tariffs are being implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which lets the U.S. government impose tariffs on imports it believes could affect national security. President Donald Trump said the move protects domestic truck makers and supports the trucking industry.
“We need our Truckers to be financially healthy and strong, for many reasons, but above all else, for National Security purposes!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The Department of Commerce is studying how imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and truck parts affect U.S. national security.
Cross-Border Manufacturing Questions
Truck makers with factories in Canada and Mexico are watching closely. It’s unclear how the tariffs will work with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Some experts think the new tariffs could balance earlier steel and aluminum tariffs that made U.S. truck makers less competitive.
Rising Costs for Class 8 Trucks
According to FTR Transportation Intelligence, building a Class 8 truck or tractor is up to 24% more expensive since early 2025 due to tariffs. Raw materials alone have gone up 9% to 12%.
Industry Split on Tariffs for Trucks vs. Parts
Paccar, which makes Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks, supports tariffs on imported finished trucks but warns against taxing parts. Many truck parts, like axles, transmissions, and brakes, are not fully made in the U.S.
Some companies, like Hirschbach Motor Lines, question whether imported trucks really threaten national security. They warn that higher costs could hurt their business and U.S. customers.
Ford Motor Co. also shared concerns. CEO Jim Farley said tariffs on parts could cost the company $2 billion and slow future investment in U.S.-built trucks. International Motors added that import restrictions could disrupt the supply chain, causing freight delays and higher costs.
What Trucking Companies Should Know
The 25% tariff on Class 8 trucks and parts is expected to raise prices and create supply chain challenges. Trucking companies, fleet managers, and industry watchers should stay updated on tariff enforcement, domestic manufacturing rules, and parts sourcing options.
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