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Subaru Says 87-Month Streak of U.S. Growth Threatened by Tariffs

Subaru Says 87-Month Streak of U.S. Growth Threatened by Tariffs

(Bloomberg) -- Subaru Corp.’s more than seven year-long string of monthly U.S. sales gains may end if the Trump administration increases tariffs on cars and auto parts on national security grounds.

“There’s no question” that the streak is at risk, Tom Doll, president and chief executive officer of Subaru of America, said on Bloomberg Television. “Ultimately what could happen is the prices of the cars go up, and therefore, how do you put people into payments? Most people today are buying either on a lease or a loan. They’re not paying cash for the vehicle, so the monthly payment becomes critical.”

Subaru is the only carmaker to boost U.S. sales every year in the last decade and extended its growth streak to 87 consecutive months through February. The Commerce Department delivered a report last month to President Donald Trump on whether imports of cars and parts threaten national security. While the findings haven’t been made public, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross can recommend options for the president, who’s called for levies of as much 25 percent.

To contact the reporters on this story: Craig Trudell in New York at ctrudell1@bloomberg.net;Kevin Cirilli in Washington at kcirilli@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Craig Trudell at ctrudell1@bloomberg.net, Chester Dawson

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