Capital Lincoln of Wilmington


Concerned About Tariffs? What It Means For Lincoln Vehicles

As of early 2025, the Trump administration began a long series of auto tariffs that apply to foreign-built vehicles and parts in an attempt to bring auto manufacturing back to America. Although the Supreme Court struck down other key tariffs in February 2026, a 25% vehicle import tax still applies to certain passenger vehicles, light trucks, and auto parts that are brought in from outside countries; however, the exact percentage can vary depending on their assembly location. As these tariffs increase stress on consumers by raising prices, fewer cars are being shipped to the United States as nations and businesses alike move to make deals with the government for tariff relief.

Thankfully, Lincoln Motor Company has worked tirelessly to reduce the impact of these tariffs on your current and future vehicle purchases, with three of the four major Lincoln SUVs already built in America. Since the tariffs were initially implemented, Lincoln models have remained accessible, with the China-built Nautilus continuing to see imports at expected levels. However, due to the tariffs affecting components and assembly, there will be some fluctuations, even among automobiles made in the United States.

We at Capital Lincoln of Wilmington are proud to serve our community with the "From America, For America" program, offering employee pricing for qualifying customers to reduce the impact of the tariffs. Let's explore the most critical information you'll need to know before investing in your next model.


What Is a Tariff?

A tariff is a tax placed on imports to encourage businesses to build manufacturing locally. The current tariffs on cars are up to 25% and apply primarily to vehicles assembled outside of the U.S., although certain models built in America may also be affected by auto parts tariffs if they use imported components or foreign auto parts.

Generally speaking, for car prices, tariffs are not always felt on a strict one-to-one basis, as the final price depends on many factors, like where the car is made and the global supply chain; however, we do understand that these economic effects get passed down to consumers in one way or another, especially through increased sticker prices. At Capital Lincoln of Wilmington, we compensate by providing employee pricing on many of our foreign-built Nautilus vehicles. Fortunately, the Navigator, Aviator, and Corsair are all built in America, making them excellent options if you want to avoid the direct 25% automotive import tax.

Stacks of shipping crates wrapped in yellow tape with the word Tariffs on it.

How Might These Tariffs Affect the U.S. Auto Industry?

While it's difficult to assess the long-term impacts of the Trump auto tariffs, the immediate effects are fairly obvious: Car prices have risen significantly across the board. As mentioned earlier, even American-built cars often require parts from other countries, meaning the cost of production increases even as the models themselves come from local factories.

That hasn't been the only effect: As some tariffs have been struck down and specific countries have been put under the microscope, automakers are getting cold feet about investing too much into importing inventory or whether they should build factories stateside.

A couple discusses paperwork with an auto dealer sales rep.

What Is the Lincoln Motor Company Doing To Mitigate the Auto Tariff's Impact?

Thankfully, Lincoln Motor Company has already taken steps to minimize the impact of the tariffs.

  • Local Production: Three of the four new Lincoln SUVs are built locally. The Lincoln Navigator is constructed in Louisville, KY, and Chicago, IL, is the proud place of assembly for the Lincoln Aviator. All new Lincoln Corsairs were also built in Louisville, but that compact SUV is currently being discontinued. While local production does not fully nullify the impacts of the tariffs, you can generally expect better pricing stability.
  • Our Personal Deals: Our team at Capital Lincoln of Wilmington understands that the tariffs can be intimidating, which is why we participated in the "From America, For America" campaign. This program provides consumers access to employee-discounted prices on models like the Nautilus, as it is the most affected by the auto tariffs.

We invite you to browse our new Lincoln inventory now. Our team is here to ensure our community receives the most transparent deals, so locals like you can effectively budget for your next luxury vehicle.

The Chicago Ford Auto Plant production line. A Lincoln in factory inspection.

How Permanent Are the U.S. Auto Tariffs?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to accurately pin down the longevity of the United States auto tariffs. With the Supreme Court recently striking down certain tariffs but leaving most auto tariffs untouched, the auto tariffs will likely remain in effect throughout the Trump administration. We recommend staying in contact with our team for more information about the Nautilus, including any major price changes.

A lineup of 2026 Lincoln vehicles parked in front of a modern Lincoln dealership at dusk.
 

Capital Lincoln of Wilmington: Where You Can Find Everything You Need To Know About Lincoln Tariffs

We understand that this is an eventful time to be looking for your next family-friendly SUV, which is why we highly recommend investing in a Lincoln model. Although options like the Aviator and Navigator may be somewhat impacted indirectly by these tariffs, our team will work with you to ensure you get a reasonable base price on any vehicle.

Take, for instance, our Lincoln finance deals. These limited-time opportunities to invest in a Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator, or Navigator are excellent for families looking for their next step in luxury. When you shop with us, you work with an experienced team that can find the plan that fits your lifestyle.

However, we're not just home to brand-new high-end SUVs. You can also browse our used cars under $20,000 to find a trustworthy companion for commuting and family adventures alike. Most of these options may be unaffected by the auto tariffs, as they were registered or imported in America before the tariffs were implemented.

Either way, we're here for you and are happy to answer any questions. Give us a call or stop by our dealership today to get started!



As of February 24, 2026, certain imported vehicles and automotive parts remain subject to federal tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, including rates of up to 25% on certain imported automobiles and parts, 15% on certain vehicles and components from the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, and 10% on certain United Kingdom-origin vehicles and parts, including the first 100,000 vehicles imported annually. Vehicles assembled in the United States and qualifying USMCA-compliant vehicles may receive tariff relief depending on content requirements. The February 2026 Supreme Court decision affected tariffs imposed under IEEPA but did not impact automotive tariffs under Section 232, and passenger vehicles are not subject to the temporary 10% duty imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Pricing, availability, and tariff treatment may change based on federal trade actions without notice. This notice is provided for general informational purposes only. Contact dealer for current details.

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Saturday 9:00AM - 6:00PM
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Wednesday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
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Friday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
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Sunday Closed
Monday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
Tuesday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
Wednesday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
Thursday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
Friday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed