Ford Announces Employee Pricing For All: See How Much You Can Save

by Justin Fischer | Last updated Apr 3, 2025 | Car Buying, New Cars, News

Ford just dropped a major deal that’s sure to grab attention — and save you thousands if you’re car shopping this spring. As new auto tariffs take effect, Ford is flipping the script with its bold new “From America, For America” campaign. What does that mean for you? Starting now, most new Ford and Lincoln vehicles are available at employee pricing — yes, the same deal Ford workers get.

Ford’s promotion is expected to run through June 2, giving shoppers an extended window to snag steep discounts on nearly every model in the lineup. But Ford isn’t doing this purely out of a good gesture. We’ll take a look at how Ford’s inventory situation is ripe for a clearance sale.

Ford’s Inventory Is Piling Up

According to CarEdge Pro, Ford is sitting on a mountain of unsold inventory — over 522,000 new vehicles nationwide in early April, which equals a 122-day supply. More than 194,000 of those are leftover 2024 models, which dealers are eager to move before newer shipments arrive.

Ford’s inventory levels have been well above the industry average for months, and with 25% tariffs on imported vehicles kicking in, the pressure is on. Ford’s North American operations are expected to take a hit, and this employee pricing strategy looks like a smart play to clear out excess inventory quickly — before the market gets even more volatile.

What Is Ford Employee Pricing?

Normally reserved for Ford employees, “A Plan” pricing gives you access to the lowest available price on a new vehicle — well below MSRP. Typically, this is referred to as Ford Invoice Pricing. Now, Ford is extending that deal to everyday buyers in an effort to cut through the confusion as tariffs begin to ripple through the market.

Thousands in savings are now on the table, especially on popular models like the F-150, Escape, Explorer, and even foreign-built Fords like the Maverick, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E.

What’s Included in the Employee Pricing Deal?

Here’s a look at what’s included in Ford’s employee pricing promotion from April to June 2025.

Included models:

• Most 2024 and 2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles
  
• Foreign-built Fords like the Maverick, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E
  
• Lincoln Nautilus (yes, even though it’s built in China)
  

Excluded models:

• 2025 Ford Expedition
  
• 2025 Lincoln Navigator
  
• 2025 Ford Super Duty trucks
  
• Ford Raptors
  
• Fleet sales
  

This is a retail-focused promotion, so it’s aimed squarely at individual car buyers looking to save on a new Ford this spring.

Here’s a real-world example of employee pricing at the dealership, courtesy of one of our CarEdge Car Buying Service customers. The A Plan pricing that Ford is offering is in red:

Ford’s offer is for ‘A Plan’ employee pricing, which you can see above alongside various other incentive levels. Wondering what ‘DB’ is? It’s something the public normally doesn’t see: dealer holdback. Dealer holdback is an amount of money paid to a car dealership from the manufacturer on each new vehicle they sell. As you can see, Ford’s promotion is a great deal, offering rock-bottom prices just as new cars are set to rise due to tariffs.

Why Is Ford Doing This?

In a statement to The Detroit News, Ford execs said they want to bring “clarity and certainty” to buyers amid rising prices and economic uncertainty. With plenty of inventory sitting on dealer lots and consumer sentiment cooling, Ford is hoping this price drop will keep buyers engaged — even as tariffs drive up costs behind the scenes.

“Even after a really strong March, our inventory levels are super healthy across our dealer network,” said Robert Kaffl, Director of U.S. Sales and Dealer Relations at Ford. “This employee pricing adds some certainty to what could be an uncertain situation.”

In other words, Ford has an oversupply of new cars and trucks in 2025. With tariffs casting tremendous uncertainty in the broader car market, and Ford looking to bear the brunt of tariff impacts, Ford is looking to get ahead of the situation with what amounts to a clearance sale. We may even see competing OEMs, notably GM and Stellantis, follow suit to remain competitive. 

How Much Can You Save with Ford Employee Pricing?

Employee pricing often means thousands off MSRP, but if you want to know exactly how much you’ll save on the Ford you’ve got your eye on, we’ve got the perfect tool for you.

👉 Check the Dealer Invoice Price on Any Ford

With the CarEdge Dealer Invoice tool, you can:

• See what dealers actually paid for any Ford or Lincoln
  
• Compare it to MSRP and employee pricing
  
• Know what’s negotiable before you step foot in the dealership

Invoice pricing is a great estimation of Ford’s employee pricing. It’s simply the price of the vehicle, with all dealership profits removed. If you’re looking to estimate how much you could save with Ford employee pricing, our Dealer Invoice Price tool is what you’re looking for.

Should You Buy Now?

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a Ford, this might be it. With employee pricing available to all and inventory high, Ford dealers are ready to deal. But don’t wait too long — this promotion ends June 2, and exclusions apply to newly launched models.Want to get the best price? Check the dealer invoice price first, then go in with confidence. Happy spring car shopping! We’ll share the best spring car deals as they arrive. We keep track of all of the best manufacturer offers over at CarEdge Best Deals.

Every Car Made in America in 2025: See Final Assembly Locations

by Justin Fischer | Last updated Apr 1, 2025 | Car Buying, New Cars, News

With the arrival of automotive tariffs in 2025, the cost of importing vehicles—and the parts they’re made from—is on the rise. For car buyers looking to dodge the steepest price hikes, shopping for a vehicle assembled in the United States could help soften the blow. In 2025, there are 117 new car and truck models with final assembly in the U.S. From SUVs built in the South to pickups rolling off lines in the Midwest, there are plenty of options for shoppers who want to support domestic manufacturing and potentially avoid the worst of the tariff impacts.

But before you jump to conclusions, there are a few important caveats to understand.

Important Caveats About “Made in America”

Automotive supply chains are global, and final assembly is just one piece of the puzzle. While the models listed here are all assembled in the United States, many of their parts are sourced from around the world—especially from our North American neighbors in Canada and Mexico. Some of these vehicles are even produced outside the U.S. for other markets, though we’ve focused only on those assembled for sale here at home.

It’s also important to note that the latest round of tariffs applies to imported car parts, not just fully assembled vehicles. That means even models built in American factories may see price increases if key components are subject to tariffs. So while U.S. final assembly offers some insulation from global trade headwinds, it doesn’t make a car completely immune.

The Complete List of Cars Made in America (U.S. Final Assembly)

Below you will find all 117 cars, trucks, SUVs and EVs with final assembly in the United States of America in 2025. These vehicles are made in facilities around the country, however it’s worth reminding readers that each one of these cars could not be finished without global supply chains. 

These are the cars and trucks made in America in 2025:

What This Means for Car Shoppers

As tariffs begin to reshape the auto market, shopping for a model with final assembly in the United States is one way to prepare for potential price hikes. These American-made vehicles may be less exposed to the harshest impacts, but they’re not completely shielded. Global supply chains mean that many parts are still imported and subject to new tariffs.

While it remains true that automakers may absorb some of the added costs from tariffs, it’s undeniable that the longer tariffs stay in place, the more likely price hikes are for 2026 models down the road. We may see sub-$30,000 cars vanish from the market if tariffs stick around for too long.

If you’re in the market for a new car, it’s more important than ever to stay informed. Use our Auto Tariff Checker to see if the car you’re considering could be affected by rising import costs. With the right tools and a little planning, you can stay ahead of the market and make a smarter buying decision.

Say Goodbye to New Cars Under $30K? Tariffs Could Be the Final Blow

by Justin Fischer | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 | Car Buying, New Cars, News

It’s already tough to find a new car under $30,000 — and if new tariffs on imported vehicles go into effect, it’s about to get even harder.

The Trump administration’s new 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts could add thousands to the price of some of America’s most affordable vehicles, according to Bloomberg reporting in Automotive News. Models built in South Korea, Mexico, and Canada — including popular budget models from General Motors, Hyundai, Ford, and Nissan — would be hit hardest. The result? Some of the cheapest new cars on the market might disappear entirely.

Why This Matters

Car prices are already near record highs, with the average new vehicle now costing nearly $48,641 according to the latest market update. For budget-conscious drivers, the small pool of new cars under $30,000 is one of the last affordable options. But about half of those vehicles are built outside the U.S., meaning they’re directly in the crosshairs of these tariffs.

According to Cox Automotive, vehicles assembled in Mexico or Canada could see average price hikes of $5,855 if the tariffs are fully passed on to consumers. And because these tariffs target the very models designed to be affordable, the impact could be especially painful for first-time buyers, younger drivers, and working-class families.

Here’s a look at the latest round of tariffs from the Trump administration as of March 28, 2025:

Which Cars Are at Risk?

Here are just a few of the vehicles that could be affected:

• Chevrolet Trax and Trailblazer – Both built in South Korea, the 2025 Trax starts at $21,795, and the 2025 Trailblazer starts a bit higher at $24,395. GM sold over 200,000 Trax crossovers last year.
  
• Jeep Compass – Made in Mexico, the 2025 Compass starts at $28,895, but is often the subject of large manufacturer incentives.
  
• Ford Maverick – The Maverick is ‘hecho en Mexico’, and is one of the only trucks still available for under $30,000.
  
• Hyundai Venue and Elantra – Both are built in South Korea, and remain the most affordable options from Hyundai. The Venue starts at just $21,650, making it one of the cheapest cars on sale in the U.S., period. The Elantra has seen major upgrades in recent years, and now starts at $23,320.
  
• Kia Soul and K4 – The Kia Soul is the brand’s entry-level SUV, and starts at $21,885. The K4 is the newest model in the Kia lineup, and sells quickly with a base price of $23,165.
  
• Nissan Kicks, Sentra, and Versa – Nissan’s three most affordable models are all assembled in Mexico. The Kicks (from $23,220), Sentra (from $22,730) are both expected to see price increases. The cheapest new car in America, the 2025 Nissan Versa, is likely headed for the graveyard following 2025. With the new tariffs eating into already slim margins, the latest developments are likely the final nail in the coffin for new cars under $20,000.
  

See if your next car is impacted by tariffs with our free auto tariff checker:

What Might Survive?

There are a few exceptions. Honda and Toyota still build some affordable cars in the U.S., including:

• Honda Civic Hatchback – Made in Indiana, starting at $28,600.
  
• Toyota Corolla – Built in Mississippi, with a base price of $23,460.
  

If these tariffs take effect, these could be the last true “budget” new cars made in America. These two cars are already among the fastest-selling cars in America. With fewer affordable options to come, competition, and even prices, may soon increase.

What Automakers Are Saying

Industry leaders are sounding the alarm. Ford CEO Jim Farley is not mincing words, saying at an industry conference that 25% tariffs would be “devastating” and would “blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we’ve never seen.” Stellantis chairman John Elkann warned that the tariffs could threaten affordability and hurt demand. Even Trump has acknowledged that vehicle prices may rise, though he argues that long-term gains in domestic manufacturing will be worth the short-term pain.

But in the meantime, automakers will face tough decisions. Some may stop importing their most affordable vehicles altogether. Others might simply pass the cost along to buyers.

The Bigger Picture: Affordability Is Already a Crisis

This tariff fight comes at a time when car affordability is already stretched thin. High interest rates and inventory shortages have pushed many would-be new car buyers into the used market. But even there, things aren’t easy.

The average used car now in inventory is over six years old. This marks an all-time high as drivers hold on to their vehicles for longer. The pandemic disrupted production, and we’re still feeling the ripple effects today. Fewer lease returns and a tighter supply of 1- to 3-year-old models have driven up prices on older used cars, too. If tariffs price out would-be new car buyers from the market, we could see used car prices climb higher yet again. 

We track used car prices weekly here

What This Means for Car Buyers Today

If you’re in the market for a car under $30,000, it may be time to act before prices rise even further. Now is a good time to compare the latest manufacturer incentives, from zero percent financing to cheap lease deals. Unfortunately, some of these models are more likely to disappear entirely due to tariffs eliminating slim profit margins for budget models.

If you’re looking to stretch your budget but you’re not ready to buy, you might find better value in a lightly used car in the months ahead. However, if tariffs stick around for several months or more, even used car prices are likely to be impacted. CarEdge is tracking these developments closely. Check out our Vehicle Tariff Checker to see how your favorite model might be impacted.