The Lazy Lagoon: Auto Sales in Hawaii
Car sales in Hawaii plummet due to financial instability
Ahoy, mateys! For the fifth year in a row, Hawaii's auto sales are sinkin' like the Titanic, with President Trump's economic policies potential swirling storm clouds on the horizon, according to a recent report from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association.
Since early 2025, car sales across the mainland soared by 4.2%, making landlubbers' dreams of owning a shiny new set of wheels a reality. But for those in the Aloha State, the tale isn't so rosy.
Hawaiian car dealers saw a chilly drop of 1.3% in sales during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, a squeaky-flimsy weathervane for a longer spell of doom ahead.
Sluggish sales have been the name of the game for local car dealers in the last few years. In 2024, the total sales fell by 3.1% while in 2022 they plummeted an alarming 12.5% compared to the previous years. Don't expect a smooth sail anytime soon, matey.
If you thought the bad news ends here, will ye? The Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association's crystal ball predicts a murky future for car sales with many "unknowns" on Trump's U.S. trade policies.
As Mostafa "Mo" Saad, owner of Autozilla Car Buying Center, said, "things are likely to change, so stay tuned."
Saad echoes the sentiment that local car dealers feel about Trump's aim to strengthen U.S. manufacturing jobs. While he appreciates the big goal, he warns it's going to be a bumpy journey to get there.
The report based on registrations of new vehicles also reveals that the used car market is still gasping for air. Saad added, "people are waiting, and we're not selling and we're not buying."
But, as the trade scenario remains far from settled, the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association has conjured up three possible scenarios for the rest of the year. None of which are your typical talk of sunshine and unicorns.
In one foggy prediction, Trump's reduced tariffs could send Hawaii's car sales plummeting by 3.2%. In the second, if tariffs are entirely removed, sales could rebound with a 2.1% percentage point increase.
And in the worst-case scenario, money-saving Buccaneers would abandon their plans altogether, causing sales to nosedive by a punishing 10.7%!
The questionable weather on the economy's horizon has already taken its toll on a Hawaii economy already struggling with inflated costs and ongoing uncertainty about Trump's economic policies. So grab your life vest and keep a keen eye on the horizon, matey! The road ahead looks bumpy.
As the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii continues to investigate how island businesses have been affected by Trump's tariffs, preliminary results suggest that over 90% of the respondents feel the impact on their costs and prices. And, it's likely that mental preparedness will soon mirror the trend—with 67% planning to cut back on investments, over 44% reducing marketing, and nearly 40% slashing hiring efforts.
One auspicious silver lining? Light trucks still reign supreme in the Aloha State, representing over 80% of the auto market. And the Japanese brands continue to dominate with an impressive 52% of sales, beating the likes of domestic brands by a large margin.
So, matey, put on your voyage boots, and let's sail into the uncertain future waiting for us in sunny Hawaii. Whether you prefer sailing on a camel or plunging headlong into new waters, the ride will be bumpier than a pet bat on a trampoline. But let's toast to better days ahead—you never know what tomorrow might bring, right? Stay tuned, fellow sailors!
- In the uncertain future, Autozilla Car Buying Center's owner, Mostafa "Mo" Saad, says things are likely to change, urging everyone to stay tuned.
- The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii's preliminary results suggest that over 90% of respondents feel the impact of President Trump's tariffs on their costs and prices.
- As a countermeasure, nearly 40% of businesses are planning to slash hiring efforts, over 44% are reducing marketing, and 67% are planning to cut back on investments.
- Despite the challenging economic climate, education and self-development events may still continue to thrive in Hawaii as people look for ways to adapt and prosper in the new situation.
