Uncertainty in 2025 Alternative Asset Markets
The exotic car market has undergone significant changes in 2025 due to new U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles and parts. With a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico and an increase from 10% to 20% on Chinese imports, the cost of importing luxury and exotic vehicles has risen sharply. These tariffs, designed to pressure foreign governments on trade, ripple across supply chains and dealership inventories nationwide.
How Tariffs Affect New and Used Exotic Car Prices
As a result, buyers in the exotic and luxury car market face both, increased prices as well as delivery delays on new exotic and luxury vehicles. Recent tariffs have raised costs for automakers, leading to higher sticker prices and limited availability for new foreign-made vehicles. According to Bloomberg, “Tariffs on imported vehicles and components have driven up production costs for automakers, forcing a rise in new car prices and limiting availability due to supply chain disruptions.”
Many exotic car manufacturers — including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce — produce their vehicles outside the U.S. With higher import duties on fully assembled vehicles and parts, exotic car buyers are facing a new reality: higher costs and with it, reduced accessibility.
How Pricing Is Impacted
-
Increased Base Prices: Automakers will pass additional costs to consumers, leading to higher MSRPs for new exotics. Even vehicles already on U.S. lots may be repriced as dealers anticipate rising import costs. Ferrari anticipates that for the “current remaining models, the new import conditions will be partially reflected on pricing, up to a maximum 10 per cent increase“.
-
Rising Costs for Parts & Repairs: Exotic car owners already in the U.S. will feel the squeeze too. Many performance parts — from Italy, Germany, and the U.K. — are tariffed, making maintenance and performance tuning more expensive.
-
Dealer Markups: The anticipated slow down of European Exports, further indicates import volumes tightening as anticipated production profit margins are expected to be lower. It is anticipated that inventory reductions will be seen throughout 2025, with dealer markups, once again, disrupting the new exotic and performance sports car markets. Particularly, we expect markups on rare or special-edition models. Limited supply always drives premiums.
We anticipate the following Exotic Brands Most Affected?
-
Ferrari & Lamborghini: Imported from Italy, both brands will see higher prices on new cars and parts.
-
McLaren: Exposed to tariffs twice over — assembled in Britain with Chinese-sourced components.
-
Porsche & BMW M Models: Some are built in North America, but many performance lines remain German imports.
-
Bentley & Rolls-Royce SUVs: Rely on global supply chains, making them highly vulnerable to tariffs on raw materials and finished vehicles.
The Used Exotic Car Market Could Surge
As new exotic cars climb in price, buyers are increasingly turning to pre-owned alternatives. This shift is sparking a surge in valuations for used models:
-
Rising demand for pre-owned Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and McLarens.
-
Higher resale values for well-maintained exotic cars.
-
More private-party sales, as buyers look to avoid dealership markups.
What This Means for Sellers of Exotic Cars
The increased demand for used exotic vehicles positions sellers favorably in today’s market. The Economist notes, “Trade tariffs increase manufacturing expenses, contributing to higher sticker prices on foreign vehicles, which in turn drive consumers toward the used car market.” For private sellers, this represents a rare opportunity: you can divest at peak value while demand outpaces supply.
Every tariff imposed on European imports increases the landed cost of a new Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, Rolls-Royce, or Bentley. Affluent buyers who once stretched into new models are turning toward pre-owned inventory, elevating used exotic and luxury car prices as well as performance sports car prices nationwide.
Exotic Cars as Alternative Asset Classes
Exotic cars have long been functioning as alternative asset classes — investment-grade vehicles that can be timed like equities or fine art. With tariffs artificially inflating values, owners hold a unique advantage to exit the market at a steep premium.
The Rise of the Used Exotic Market into the Alternative Asset Class
This shift has positioned used exotic and luxury vehicles as investment assets. Private sellers benefit most because buyers are motivated, supply is limited, and valuations are inflated. Unlike dealers who must maintain margins, individuals can capture market-driven premiums directly. However, we see that a new class of buyers emerged, leveraging used exotic vehicles as their entry level into this prestigious alternative asset class.
Timing the Market
We anticipate that this beneficial exotic used car price bubble will burst toward the year end and into early 2026.
Geopolitical trends suggest tariffs may normalize by early 2026 as U.S. and European Union alliances consolidate sanctions against Russia and China. Once tariffs ease, used exotic vehicle prices will flatten quickly.
That means waiting will most likely reduce your upside. Selling now secures today’s inflated values before the market rebalances.
Why Now Is the Moment for Exotic Car Sellers
-
Demand is high: Buyers are priced out of new imports.
-
Supply is constrained: Few exotic vehicles circulate domestically.
-
Valuations are peaking: Tariffs are temporarily inflating prices. As of August, a reduction from 27.5% to 15% is already in effect for the EU. UK talks are ongoing.
For owners, this is not just about selling a car — it’s about unlocking temporary value from a unique ‘tariff bubble’ in the used alternative asset class at the right time.
Conclusion
Tariffs have created a short-term window where selling your exotic or luxury car privately is more lucrative than ever. By early 2026, the opportunity will contract. Act now to maximize your return while market conditions favor private sellers.
If you’re considering selling your exotic car, now is a strategic time to act before market fluctuations impact pricing further.
We hope you enjoyed our News You Can Use!
Sell Your Exotic Car Fast with Exotics Wanted
At Exotics Wanted, we specialize in providing competitive, market-based cash offers for exotic cars. Our process is designed to be fast, secure, and hassle-free—often completing sales in less than 24 hours.
Whether your exotic car is leased, financed, or owned outright, we deliver a concierge-level selling experience tailored to discerning owners like you.
Get Your Competitive Cash Offer Today
Don’t miss out on the current market opportunity. Start Your Valuation by completing the form above to request your competitive cash offer from a dealer backed, trusted exotic car buyer today.
References
Wall Street Journal. “Ferrari to Raise Prices on Some Models in Response to U.S. Tariffs.” Wall Street Journal Business, 2025.
