According to the company, existing pre-tariff inventory is adequate to meet current demand
Mitsubishi Motors is temporarily pausing vehicle shipments to U.S. dealerships in response to escalating trade tensions and newly imposed tariffs by the Trump administration. The move underscores how swiftly changing policies can disrupt automakers’ logistics and inventory strategies.
Because Mitsubishi’s entire U.S. lineup is imported, every model is now subject to a new 25% tariff. While the company continues exporting to other North American markets, it has suspended deliveries to its 330 U.S. dealers in an effort to sidestep the added costs—at least for now.
Shipments on Hold, Inventory Still Strong
According to Jeremy Barnes, Senior Director of Communications and Events at Mitsubishi North America, vehicles will remain parked at U.S. ports until the government provides further clarity on tariff policy. Speaking with Nikkei Asia, Barnes said the company has sufficient pre-tariff inventory to maintain supply and meet current demand.
As of early April, data from Cox Automotive shows Mitsubishi had a 79-day supply of vehicles in the U.S.—well above the industry average of 70 days. The automaker is hoping that potential policy shifts will occur before dealership inventories begin to run low. So far, no price increases have been announced for U.S. consumers.
Mitsubishi is not alone in this approach. Other automakers—Aston Martin, Audi, Lotus, and Jaguar Land Rover—have also paused U.S. vehicle imports. Meanwhile, Nissan has stopped taking orders for the Mexican-built Infiniti QX50 and QX55, and Volvo is reportedly phasing out the S90 sedan.
Sales Rise Despite Uncertainty
Even amid the tariff-driven uncertainty, Mitsubishi saw strong performance in Q1 2025, selling 31,637 vehicles in North America—an 11% increase compared to the same period last year.
The Outlander remains the brand’s best-selling model, with 11,992 units sold in Q1 despite a 13% year-over-year decline. A refreshed version of the SUV arrived in late February, and the plug-in hybrid variant hit record monthly sales in March.
Surprisingly, the discontinued Mirage was the second-best seller with 7,301 units, followed by the aging Outlander Sport (6,910 units) and Eclipse Cross (3,731 units).
