The British automaker pauses vehicle shipments to the US in the wake of significant import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
In a notable shift within the automotive sector, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a leading British car manufacturer, has temporarily suspended deliveries of its vehicles produced in the United Kingdom to the United States.
This decision is a direct response to the substantial import tariffs recently introduced by President
Donald Trump's administration.
On April 3, 2025, the Trump administration raised tariffs on foreign automobiles from 2.5% to 25%.
This policy alteration has far-reaching implications, affecting not only European and Asian vehicle manufacturers but also US automakers with global supply chains.
According to official statements from JLR, the pause in US shipments is set to continue through April.
A company spokesperson emphasized the importance of the US market for JLR's luxury brand offerings, noting that the company is actively working to understand the new trading conditions in collaboration with its business partners.
In light of these developments, JLR is implementing temporary measures, including the halt in deliveries, while it formulates medium- to long-term strategies.
Currently, JLR reports having adequate stock levels in the United States; however, ongoing uncertainties surrounding import costs present challenges for future deliveries.
JLR occupies a significant position within the UK automotive landscape, selling approximately 400,000 vehicles annually, with nearly 25% of its sales originating from the US market.
The ramifications of the delivery suspension are being closely monitored by the UK automotive industry, given that the United States constitutes the second largest export market for British cars, following the European Union, and accounts for about 20% of UK vehicle exports.
The potential for extended pauses in vehicle deliveries could exert added pressure on the broader UK automotive sector, which supports around 200,000 jobs.
Other automotive manufacturers are similarly affected by the newly imposed US tariffs.
For instance, Nissan has declared it will cease accepting new orders from the US for its Infiniti QX50 and QX55 SUV models, both of which are produced at the COMPAS plant in Mexico—a joint venture with
Mercedes-Benz.
A spokesperson for Nissan confirmed that while production for other markets would proceed, the financial viability of exporting these models to the US under the elevated tariffs is no longer sustainable.
In addition to these changes, Nissan has revised its production schedule in the US, scaling back operations at its Smyrna, Tennessee, plant for the Rogue SUV model to just two shifts.
This adjustment follows an earlier announcement regarding workforce reductions.
The company faces challenges attributed to an aging model lineup and a gap in hybrid vehicle offerings, which have been further complicated by the new tariff environment.
Under the leadership of new CEO Ivan Espinosa, Nissan aims to expedite development timelines for forthcoming models in an effort to sustain competitiveness within an increasingly difficult market.