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The Ford F-150 has survived fuel crises, recessions, and global supply chain meltdowns. But now, it’s facing a new battle: tariffs. With fresh taxes on imported aluminum and steel, every truck rolling off the line here in the USA could cost Ford—and its customers—hundreds more. Ford says it’s got this under control. The Wall Street Journal says otherwise. So, who’s right?

Ford says not to worry about tariffs and F-150 prices

Ford CFO Sherry House insists the tariffs won’t have much impact, claiming 90% of the company’s steel comes from the U.S. and that aluminum sourcing won’t be significantly affected. CEO Jim Farley initially supported broader tariffs but later warned that the Mexico-specific ones could “blow a hole in the U.S. industry.” A Ford spokesperson also noted that shifting supply chains to mitigate costs would take years but declined to comment on whether prices might rise.

The tariffs are part of President Donald Trump’s effort to bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. While some domestic metal producers support the move, others—like aluminum giant Alcoa—warn that it will drive up costs without viable local alternatives. Ford has reportedly been stockpiling aluminum in anticipation of price hikes, but it remains unclear if the company will absorb the costs or pass them on to consumers.

What analysts say about Ford and tariffs

The Wall Street Journal paints a different picture. Ford’s aluminum-intensive trucks, such as the F-150 and Super Duty, rely on suppliers who source much of their raw materials from Canada. Even though Ford buys from U.S.-based companies, the tariffs could still raise costs throughout the supply chain. Barclays estimates production costs could increase by $400 per vehicle, a significant margin considering Ford’s high-volume truck sales.

The $400 estimate only factors in the Ford F-150. Tariffs on vehicles assembled in Mexico–such as Ford’s Maverick pickup truck–could hurt the companies bottom line. And thus they may drive costs of all Ford vehicles even higher.

Ford’s F-150 might be the headline here, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. If these tariffs hold, every automaker relying on aluminum or steel imports could see costs skyrocket. That means higher prices for trucks, SUVs, and even budget-friendly sedans. Ford might be talking tough now, but if history has taught us anything, price hikes always find their way to the consumer.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.