The Resilient Corner of the Auto Market in the Age of Tariffs
As tariffs once again dominate headlines ahead of the 2025 U.S. election cycle, investors are watching the auto industry brace for impact. But while legacy manufacturers prepare for pricing shocks and supply chain disruption, one asset class remains remarkably untouched: investment-grade collector cars.
This article covers:
- What the proposed tariffs could mean for global automakers
- Why collector cars remain insulated from manufacturing volatility
- How investors are shifting toward tangible, alternative assets
- The role MCQ Markets plays in offering exposure to this resilient category
Traditional Automakers Are Bracing for Impact
The reintroduction of proposed tariffs—such as a 10% import duty and a potential 25% levy on vehicles from Mexico and Canada—has sent a shockwave through global supply chains. In a manufacturing ecosystem where car parts are sourced from Europe, assembled in North America, and often finished in Asia, any added cost at any link in the chain compounds rapidly.
In 2025, automakers are already modeling worst-case scenarios. A 25% tariff, for instance, could add up to $6,400 to the average sticker price of an imported car, according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. Reuters reports that legacy manufacturers are exploring cost mitigation strategies, shifting production forecasts, and rethinking their global supplier networks. The ripple effects are real—and expensive.
But here’s the good news: investment-grade collector cars are almost completely unaffected by these new tariffs.
That’s because the cars we offer at MCQ Markets aren’t mass-produced or currently rolling off assembly lines. They’re already here—imported, restored, and stored. Their value isn’t based on new tech or EV trends. It’s rooted in history, culture, scarcity, and provenance.
Whether it’s a Porsche Carrera GT or a Ferrari F40, these are assets that are already part of a fixed global supply. And because U.S. import rules generally exempt vehicles over 25 years old from new tariffs and EPA restrictions, they remain an investment category largely untouched by protectionist policy shifts.
This insulation from macro volatility is exactly why high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and savvy retail investors are looking at collector cars as more than passion purchases—they’re seeing them as portfolio assets.
Alternative Assets Are on the Rise
In a world where inflation eats into cash, interest rate spikes shake bond markets, and equities remain volatile, tangible assets like investment-grade collector cars are increasingly attractive.
The Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index reports that collector cars have appreciated by a stunning 185% over the last 10 years, outperforming luxury real estate, fine wine, and even art. And unlike volatile sectors impacted by trade policies, collector cars aren’t tied to a quarterly earnings report or geopolitical maneuvering.(Blog)
As financial advisors and wealth managers recalibrate their strategies, many are turning to alternative investments that are:
- Less correlated to traditional markets <li “>Culturally significant and emotionally resonant
- Supported by data-backed long-term appreciation
At MCQ Markets, we provide access to this exclusive asset class through fractional ownership of SEC-qualified offerings. That means no $2 million garage or restoration knowledge required—just simple, regulated exposure to a rare and historically resilient category.
Our platform handles everything from curation and storage to insurance and documentation. Investors get all the upside of owning an iconic vehicle—without any of the operational hassle. And in a time where most of the auto market is in flux? That kind of stability isn’t just appealing. It’s strategic.
Tariffs may define the headlines for the next year. But they won’t define us.
In fact, the more the production side of the industry gets squeezed, the more collectors and investors will flock to categories that offer preservation over production, history over hype.
Collector cars are a lane of their own. And at MCQ Markets, we’re helping investors drive in that direction
