Prices of US-made Imported Cars Remain High, Consumers' Foundation Calls for Tariff and Commodity Tax Reductions
Taiwan's Consumers' Foundation (CF) points out that despite the elimination of import tariffs on US-made cars, domestic selling prices remain high, urging the government to immediately lower tariffs and commodity taxes.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 21:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 21:31 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 23:03 (1h 32m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei 29th) According to the "US-Taiwan Equal Trade Agreement," import tariffs on US-made passenger cars have been reduced from the original 17.5% to zero. The Consumers' Foundation stated that the prices of US-made imported cars remain high, calling for an immediate reduction in tariffs and commodity taxes.
The Consumers' Foundation held a press conference today, pointing out that the US-Taiwan Equal Trade Agreement (ART) was signed in February, reducing import tariffs on US-made passenger cars from the original 17.5% to zero. Although this adjustment offers consumers the opportunity to purchase US-made cars at preferential prices and increases their choices, cars in Taiwan are subject to multiple taxes, making the burden on consumers still heavy. Therefore, the foundation called on the government to immediately reduce domestic car tariffs and commodity taxes.
The Consumers' Foundation investigated five models of US-made cars imported into Taiwan and compared their prices in Taiwan, the United States, and South Korea. Taking the Tesla Model 3 with different configurations as an example, the selling price in Taiwan is approximately NT$1.75 million to NT$2.34 million, while in the United States, it is about US$37,000 to US$55,000 (NT$1.18 million to NT$1.76 million); in South Korea, the price is approximately KRW41.99 million to KRW59.99 million (about NT$0.89 million to NT$1.27 million).
The Consumers' Foundation stated that when comparing the same basic model, the Tesla's selling price in Taiwan is 48% higher than in the United States, a difference of about NT$570,000, and 97% higher than in South Korea, a difference of about NT$860,000. For the other four US-made car models, the price difference between Taiwan and the highest price in the United States could be up to NT$1.4 million, and up to NT$1.21 million compared to South Korea.
The Consumers' Foundation hopes that the government will seize the opportunity of tariff reductions to comprehensively review the automotive tax system, reform the multi-layered tax structure, and avoid excessive tax accumulation. Furthermore, it suggests reducing the commodity tax on cars and motorcycles to 13%, the same as essential daily necessities (such as refrigerators), to reflect public demand and protect consumers' basic right to transportation.
The Consumers' Foundation also recommended that as tariffs on US-made imported cars drop to 0%, tariffs on imported auto parts not produced in Taiwan should also be simultaneously reduced to 0% to maintain the competitiveness of domestically produced cars. At the same time, the automotive tax system should be regularly reviewed for its impact on consumer burden and industrial competitiveness, and flexible adjustments should be made when necessary to ensure that policies balance public welfare and sustainable industrial development. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei 29th) According to the "US-Taiwan Equal Trade Agreement," import tariffs on US-made passenger cars have been reduced from the original 17.5% to zero. The Consumers' Foundation stated that the prices of US-made imported cars remain high, calling for an immediate reduction in tariffs and commodity taxes.
The Consumers' Foundation held a press conference today, pointing out that the US-Taiwan Equal Trade Agreement (ART) was signed in February, reducing import tariffs on US-made passenger cars from the original 17.5% to zero. Although this adjustment offers consumers the opportunity to purchase US-made cars at preferential prices and increases their choices, cars in Taiwan are subject to multiple taxes, making the burden on consumers still heavy. Therefore, the foundation called on the government to immediately reduce domestic car tariffs and commodity taxes.
The Consumers' Foundation investigated five models of US-made cars imported into Taiwan and compared their prices in Taiwan, the United States, and South Korea. Taking the Tesla Model 3 with different configurations as an example, the selling price in Taiwan is approximately NT$1.75 million to NT$2.34 million, while in the United States, it is about US$37,000 to US$55,000 (NT$1.18 million to NT$1.76 million); in South Korea, the price is approximately KRW41.99 million to KRW59.99 million (about NT$0.89 million to NT$1.27 million).
The Consumers' Foundation stated that when comparing the same basic model, the Tesla's selling price in Taiwan is 48% higher than in the United States, a difference of about NT$570,000, and 97% higher than in South Korea, a difference of about NT$860,000. For the other four US-made car models, the price difference between Taiwan and the highest price in the United States could be up to NT$1.4 million, and up to NT$1.21 million compared to South Korea.
The Consumers' Foundation hopes that the government will seize the opportunity of tariff reductions to comprehensively review the automotive tax system, reform the multi-layered tax structure, and avoid excessive tax accumulation. Furthermore, it suggests reducing the commodity tax on cars and motorcycles to 13%, the same as essential daily necessities (such as refrigerators), to reflect public demand and protect consumers' basic right to transportation.
The Consumers' Foundation also recommended that as tariffs on US-made imported cars drop to 0%, tariffs on imported auto parts not produced in Taiwan should also be simultaneously reduced to 0% to maintain the competitiveness of domestically produced cars. At the same time, the automotive tax system should be regularly reviewed for its impact on consumer burden and industrial competitiveness, and flexible adjustments should be made when necessary to ensure that policies balance public welfare and sustainable industrial development. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150429
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.