logo
Are Tesla, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz's exploiting Trump tariff fears to manipulate customers? Check details

Are Tesla, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz's exploiting Trump tariff fears to manipulate customers? Check details

Economic Times07-05-2025
Several companies are alerting customers about possible price hikes due to tariffs. Tesla and Nissan are among those urging consumers to buy now. French brand Sezane also cautioned its U.S. customers. Retailers are using this strategy to boost sales amid low consumer confidence. Some companies pass tariff costs directly. Donald Trump criticized Amazon for planning to display tariff-related price increases.
Recent data suggest that tariff fears may have already boosted retail activity, with U.S. sales unexpectedly rising in March
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
'Place your order soon'
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
A wide range of companies—from Tesla and Nissan to makers of children's lunch boxes and luxury mattresses—are warning consumers to shop now before looming tariffs under Donald Trump's trade policies drive prices higher. Many brands are using this moment to trigger urgency and boost sales, tapping into consumer anxiety about potential economic fallout, reported The Financial Times.Visitors to Tesla's Canadian website are greeted by a prominent yellow banner: 'Explore pre-tariff priced inventory while supplies last.'French fashion brand Sézane, backed by private equity firms like General Atlantic, emailed U.S. customers this week cautioning that tariffs may soon make some items unavailable on its U.S. site. 'If any of these are still on your mind, we recommend placing your order soon to avoid missing out,' the message read.While Trump's trade measures have shaken global markets and raised fears of inflation and recession in the US, some businesses are treating the moment as a sales opportunity.Retailers face a challenging climate, with U.S. consumer confidence at its lowest point since May 2020. Still, they are leaning on classic marketing tactics. 'It's a simple scarcity play—the oldest trick in the book,' said Adam Alter, a marketing professor at NYU's Stern School of Business. 'The difference here is that the concern is rational: prices are likely to rise, and soon.'California-based Omie, which sells compartmentalized lunch boxes for kids, recently warned customers about a 'steep increase' in import costs from China and offered a limited-time discount code—'BeforeTariffs'—to encourage immediate purchases.Nissan's Infiniti brand used similar messaging, urging buyers to 'Invest in an Infiniti without new tariffs' as part of its 'Once in a Springtime Event.' Meanwhile, a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Calabasas, a wealthy L.A. suburb, ran a banner declaring: 'No Added Tariffs. 100% Tariff Free.' Mercedes says it will absorb tariff costs on its 2025 models.Luxury mattress maker Saatva also joined in, telling website visitors: 'Don't wait: Beat tariff increases.'Recent data suggest that tariff fears may have already boosted retail activity, with U.S. sales unexpectedly rising in March. 'It's probably very effective messaging,' said advertising analyst Brian Wieser, adding that the strategy could explain the surprising retail growth.While some global retailers—like Chinese e-commerce giant Temu—are directly passing tariff costs to consumers, others are wary. U.S. companies risk political blowback for making tariff impacts visible. On Tuesday, President Trump lashed out at Amazon after reports that it would display tariff-related price increases at checkout.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the move as 'a hostile and political act.' Amazon later reversed the plan following a conversation between Trump and company founder Jeff Bezos. 'Jeff Bezos was very nice,' Trump remarked. 'He solved the problem very quickly.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

In attack on AAP in Punjab, Anurag Thakur says land pooling scheme like Delhi liquor scam
In attack on AAP in Punjab, Anurag Thakur says land pooling scheme like Delhi liquor scam

Time of India

time24 minutes ago

  • Time of India

In attack on AAP in Punjab, Anurag Thakur says land pooling scheme like Delhi liquor scam

Bathinda: BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Sunday likened AAP govt's land pooling scheme in Punjab to the 2022 liquor scam in Delhi, stating that the final destination for those behind it will be jail. Speaking to media here, Thakur said Delhi-based leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, alarmed over facing jail terms in the liquor scam, were now making Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann implement the land pooling scheme. "After minting money, they will go away, and those who implement it will have to face the music," Thakur added. Thakur, who is a govt body member of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bathinda, visited the health institute duiring the day. He said a 300-bedded facility would be added shortly. He said he came to know of some medicines not being available at Jan Aushadhi and Amrit Pharmacy in AIIMS, and he would take up the matter at appropriate forums. He also accused the state govt of charging the commercial rate for electricity from AIIMS and asked it to provide electricity at subsidised rates. Thakur also hit out at AAP over a growing perception that its Delhi-based leaders were now calling the shots in Punjan. "People in Punjab feel cheated after giving a thumping majority to AAP, as they chose Punjabis to lead them, but Delhi-based leaders took control and are governing Punjab by proxy," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The former Union minister said the Delhi-based AAP leaders were taking decisions that were not in the interest of Punjab or Punjabis. He also raised the issue of AAP not meeting its promise of giving a Rs 1,000 per month cash incentive to women. The BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur constituency also raised lack of jobs, rising drug menace, no MSP on crops other than wheat and paddy, and gangsters running syndicates from jails. He added that elected members of AAP would start leaving it in the next six months, as they knew it had lost people's confidence. "BJP is sure to form the next govt," said Anurag. He also took potshots at Samvidhan Bachao rallies of the Congress. He accused the Congress-led govt in Himachal Pradesh of not providing adequate assistance to people ravaged by excessive rain, while the central govt was providing assistance.

Govt keeps tabs on capex as private investment lags
Govt keeps tabs on capex as private investment lags

Time of India

time24 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Govt keeps tabs on capex as private investment lags

Representational Image NEW DELHI: Govt is keeping a close watch on capex as private investment remains weak, some of which may be on account of the global uncertainty induced by the US President Donald Trump's tariff regime. During April-May, Centre's capital expenditure has been higher with ministries and departments spending 20% of their allocation for the year, compared with 13% in the first two months of the last fiscal year. Over the last five years, capex by the Centre has been a key policy tool to boost investment in the economy with the expectation that the multiplier effect will generate demand for inputs and create jobs and spur private investment. The private sector has, however, largely watched from the sidelines barring sectors such as cement and steel where companies are lining up investment to meet the demand created by public investment in roads & railways. There has been heightened activity in sectors such as electronics, induced by schemes such as PLI. But overall capacity utilisation is not seen at levels where companies would ramp up investment to set up new production lines. In sectors such as automobiles and energy, the shift towards greener technologies is resulting in some investments being held up, industry sources said. While acknowledging the weak private investment, govt sources said efforts are being made to understand the measures that may be needed to boost activity. Further, the sources said, some of the central projects may not have more absorptive capacity to step up capex and govt may explore newer segments of the economy to divert more public investment. These could include spaces such as urban infrastructure with the finance ministry and other wings of govt expected to hold discussions in the coming months. Given the needs of the economy and the growth expected in coming years, the focus on capex is going to remain, with private sector expected to take the baton sooner or later. For the current fiscal year, the Centre has budgeted for capex of Rs 11.4 lakh crore of which nearly half is allocated to roads and railways. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store