
«- They don't take our cars. Yet, they send cars to us by the millions! »
Trump's claim that Europeans don't buy American cars is true. But what cars does he want us to buy?
We have gradually learned that what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth is unfortunately often false accusations, harassment and threats. He probably makes his statements without checking the facts. This may also apply to his knowledge of the car market in Europe. But the claim that Europeans do not buy very many American cars – it is actually completely true.
What about Tesla?
In 2024, the Tesla Model Y became the fourth best-selling car model in Europe. It will likely be a big seller this year as well, despite Elon Musk's anti-social tendencies. But the vast majority of Teslas sold in Europe are manufactured in Berlin or Shanghai - not in the US. They contribute little or nothing to Trump's steel industry.
GM canceled its European plans
In 2023, GM's European president said they would establish themselves in Europe with their new electric car models. Work was started in Oslo to create a showroom, but it was cancelled. It is uncertain om, or when, GM will return. Electric Cadillac Lyrics could have been well received. The less expensive models, Chevrolet Equinox EV and Blazer EV, would be able to compete with Tesla og Mustang Mach-E.
But GM is not coming to Europe. Their profits come from selling large full-size pickups and SUVs that are not suitable in Europe. Sales of electric models were not as expected, and GM's small and mid-size gasoline-powered models are unlikely to do very well here. Moreover, they are not produced in the USA, either.

American pickup culture does not fit in Europe
The cars that Trump probably has in mind are Ford F series og Chevrolet Silverado, S og Tahoe – cars that have been top sellers in the US for several years. All the large frame-built cars are still built in the US. For many Americans, this is the ultimate type of car. If you can't afford a new car, you buy a used one. The success can be explained by a culture based on American patriotism and Western idealism. Americans have always loved big cars – many of the owners are big people themselves – and after several years of downsizing, pickups represent the latest big car models. One could also add that having a new full-size pickup in front of your house signals that you have succeeded in life – which is important in the US.
Large American pickup trucks and SUVs are a poor fit in European cities. They are too long and wide, and with a poor turning radius, they are best suited to straight, wide roads. They are also disproportionately expensive in European countries with taxes calculated according to engine power and weight.

Right: (Built in USA) Dodge Durango GT Plus 3.6 liter V6 Pentastar. 8-speed automatic. Mid-size SUV with 3 rows of seats on frame. Length 502 cm, width 194 cm. Price: $40.565. Number in Norway as of 2020: 16.
New US tariffs will hit ordinary Americans
Trumps Secondly, The claim is that the United States imports millions of cars. This is about car models in lower price ranges – cars that most people depend on. Because in the United States, most people depend on cars. 16-year-olds need a car to get to school. If you have a job, you need a car no matter how little you earn. The expensive, huge pickup trucks reign at the top of the sales charts, but affordable car models like Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic og Nissan Sentra coming close behind. Toyota Corolla og Honda Civic Hatchback is manufactured in the USA, while Honda Civic Sedan is manufactured in Canada and Nissan Sentra in Mexico. Many of the cars in the lower price ranges are manufactured outside the United States but are adapted for the U.S. market. The prices of these cars will likely rise regardless of where they are manufactured.

Right: (Built in USA) Buick Enclave Avenir 2.5 Turbo 4-cyl. 333hp. 8-speed automatic. Mid-size SUV with 3 rows of seats. Length: 527 cm, width: 202 cm. Number in Norway: 0.
American cars that are manufactured outside the United States
Numbers in parentheses are numbers sold Q4 2024.
Chevrolet
Trax – South Korea and Mexico (50900)
Equinox – Mexico (64200)
Trailblazer – South Korea (22000)
Blazer – Mexico (7800)
Buick
Envista – South Korea (12400)
Buick Encore GX – South Korea (13600)
Envision – China (12900)
Ford
Bronco Sport – Mexico (30300)
Mustang Mach-E – Mexico (16100)
Maverick (pickup) – Mexico (22100)
The Escape (Kuga) and Ranger are produced elsewhere for the European market.
Dodge
Hornet – Italy (5000)
Charger – Canada (2800)
Chrysler
Pacifica – Canada (11900)
Jeep
Compass – Mexico (27200)
Foreign car brands in the United States
Several foreign automakers have established production in the United States. In the last quarter of 2024, 82300 were sold. Toyota Camry there, 55800 Toyota Corolla as well as 25300 Corolla cross – all made in the USA. Volkswagen has established production in both the USA and Mexico. Their US-made SUV, Atlas og Atlas Sports, sold a total of 32000 cars in Q2 2024. Manufacturing facilities in the US provide protection from tariffs, but could potentially face new tariff barriers when exporting to Canada. Honda manufactures the Civic in both the US and Canada, and therefore transports car parts between the factories. This could result in tariffs being applied multiple times.
Right: (Built in Mexico) Ford Maverick, mid-size pickup built on the same platform as the Escape/Kuga. Number in Norway: 1.
Conclusion

See
Remarks by President Trump - Whitehouse.gov

