KENTUCKY AUTO ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT JASON WILSON WEIGHS IN ON NEW TARIFFS By Jaelyn Campbell, CBT News As new tariffs take effect, car dealers across the country are watching closely — and none more so than those in Kentucky. Jason Wilson, President of the Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association (KADA), joined Jim Fitzpatrick on Inside Automotive to discuss the ripple effects of the tariff changes, how dealers are responding, and why this moment echoes past industry upheavals from COVID to the 2008 financial crisis. With tariffs now in force as of early April, Wilson says dealers are reacting with a mix of concern and resilience. “It’s crazy times,” he admitted, noting the parallels to the unpredictability dealers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite growing anxiety around vehicle price hikes and inflation, Wilson emphasized that dealers are seasoned operators. “They always find a way and get creative,” he said. At a recent lunch with Lexington-area dealers, Wilson reported that the conversation centered on the new tariffs and their potential impact on pricing. With average new vehicle prices hovering around $50,000 and interest rates already elevated, affordability is front and center for both dealers and consumers. Still, many dealers understand the broader economic argument for the tariffs — particularly the need to address long-standing trade imbalances. “There’s also a greater understanding of the need to change things,” Wilson explained, noting that the sustainability of the current trade deficit is in question. The current two- to three-month supply of inventory WWW.KYADA.COM 19
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