Tariffs and the China-built Nautilus

[hinckley]

I may have missed other threads on this issue, but are there any concerns about tariffs being imposed on the China-built Nautilus?

I absolutely love my '24, but I know it's taking a beating on the value side. My $75k BL has lost at least $20k in value in its first year, but I love the car and have no intention to move on. But . . . are China-built Nautiluses subject to the new tariffs? If so, they'll impossible to sell here and our values will crash.

Is there any intelligence or rumors out there on this topic?

 

[angore]

It appears that it will be significant. My concern is that given Ford cannot build or expand plants quickly that it could kill the Nautilus. GM is in a worse situation than Ford.

 

[hinckley]

My concern is that given Ford cannot build or expand plants quickly that it could kill the Nautilus.

And we end up owners of a two-model year orphan. It's a shame that this is a real possibility for exactly the sort of vehicle that Lincoln needs for survival.

 

[Houtex]

I think I read where some items may get exemptions, but I don’t think there have been any specifics. This whole thing wasn’t well thought out. They are making it up as they go. I would think companies such as Apple and Ford and possibly others should be given an exemption of some type at least for a year or two.

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[markfm]

I've seen a report that there's large inventory already in the US, over 120 days' (notably higher than many other companies, more than enough to satisfy expected sales volume through the 6/3 deal cutoff).

Potentially they could move back to Oakville, IF US Canada tariffs aren't nuts. Of course people could then expect to run into year 1 factory build issues.

On the parts front, overall US automobile industry is based on global logistics/sourcing. A lot of parts are often international sourced, even on US-assembled vehicles. Significant electronics/sensors content from Asia, a lot of car manufacturing involving cross-border (Mexico and Canada) activities.

 

[angore]

And we end up owners of a two-model year orphan. It's a shame that this is a real possibility for exactly the sort of vehicle that Lincoln needs for survival.

I agree that this is a critical market that Lincoln needs to suceeds in especially if they continue to ignore sedans. Ford is not in the best financial shape and they could be serverely hurt by these actions in the short turn.

 

[Steve_C]

And we end up owners of a two-model year orphan. It's a shame that this is a real possibility for exactly the sort of vehicle that Lincoln needs for survival.

Sadly, I think the Nautilus is not viable for Lincoln, regardless where it is built. Sales were poor when built in NA. Not much better with the CCP Nautilus import. Don't forget, the Edge was discontinued because of poor sales. Building the Naut exclusively on a single use platform made no sense,...importing the model did. As we know, rollout was less then stellar, and that reality may very well be catching up.
36k units in 2024 was an improvement in sales over the previous NA model, but not enough to justify continuing regardless of where it is built in my opinion.
Quarter 1 for 2025 is over 6% less then previous (Ford Authority website).
Hinckleys's assessment of a potential 2 year orphan is a very real possibility.

Honeymoon for the CCP Nautilus may very well be over. Not just for the reasons above. Don't forget the political feelings of the CCP world trade dominance threat that is now front and center...(in addition to tariffs, which is the main focus of this thread)! Does not look good at all.
I truly believe Bao Li and Qing Bao will also soon be a thing of the past.
They now reside at the Smithsonian Zoo in DC, so may be a good time to see them before they go back to Beijing if anyone is interested.
By 2026, I predict no CCP Nautilus and no Pandas in the USA.

I do agree with Hinckley...Can Lincoln survive with just 2 SUV's and a crossover in the lineup? Will it make sense for FoMoCo to continue the brand?
With no Nautilus, will Corsair and Aviator be real alternatives for buyers?

I was holding out that the new Oakville Plant would be the answer with an all new Nautilus and Ford Edge lineup. I do not think so anymore. It appears they will be building F-150's.

 

[APL Rep]

Wholesale orders for 25 model year have been canceled. No more retail orders taken. Ones not already built and on the water those orders will most likely be canceled as well.

Nautilus itself is a successive launch. The value of one owned or on the lot may go up? We have about a 100 day supply. After that who knows? But for now all things come to a stop. So there will be a gap in inventory for sure.

Corsair is going away too. 'To be replaced with something' is all we know.

Come spring 26 we as dealers may be sitting around looking at an Aviator and Navigator only on our lots.

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[Steve_C]

Nautilus itself is a successive launch

"The operation was successful....but the patient died"

 

[Houtex]

It’s the only Lincoln I would consider owning. the Corsair is just too small. The others too big. The new Nautilus is just right for me and I am very much enjoying it.

 

[jsideris]

I don’t thinks the nautilus is going anywhere. Once the tariff nonsense dies down.

It’s not just the cars that’s impacted. so many components of everything are sourced from China. The backlash from us in the US will cause them to get rid of those insane tariffs. Any support of these increases will wane as it hits our daily purchases.

 

[Steve_C]

It’s the only Lincoln I would consider owning. the Corsair is just too small. The others too big. The new Nautilus is just right for me and I am very much enjoying it.

Goldilocks and the Three Lincolns......
Once upon a time there were three Lincolns, who lived together in a showroom of their own, at a Lincoln dealership.
One of them was a Little Wee Corsair, and one was a Middle-size Nautilus, and the other was a Great Big Aviator.
They had each a wheelbase of their own; a little one for the Little Corsair; and a middle-sized wheelbase for the Middle-sized Nautilus; and a great big wheelbase for the Great Big Aviator.
And they had each had seats to sit in; a little seat for the Little Wee Corsair..........

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[JMAB]

Glass half-full....if all this goes South.... Maybe.... Ford/Lincoln will just give us the Nautilus at the end of lease?! One can dream.

Even with all the "first-year-model" challenges, we still love our Nautilus.

 

[angore]

The lack of models hurts the dealers as well.

 

[Steve_C]

I think I read where some items may get exemptions..... I would think companies such as Apple and Ford and possibly others should be given an exemption of some type at least for a year or two.

I do not understand this logic. Why give an exemption to any USA manufacturer that chooses to produce a vehicle or phone in China when they can do so here?
Why fund the CCP instead of the American working middle class?
That is insane!
Do you have any idea what sort of tariff China imposes on a USA made vehicle that is exported and sold in China? It is ridiculous! They do everything they can (via high tariffs) to keep USA produced goods out!
That is why FoMoCo and others have made deals with the CCP to produce American vehicles in China to begin with!
Thankfully, we are waking up to the serious threat the CCP is inflicting on the American economy as well global trade.
I am thankful the previous US administration has taken action on this topic and the new admin. is continuing with it.
Pres. Biden himself travelled to Angola and actually blocked the BRI agreement Angola had with the CCP.
Pres. Biden secured the Lobito Corridor Pass, thus throwing a monkey wrench into the CCP's BRI, aka "The Silk Road Initiative".
The new administration is taking action action to secure the Panama Canal from falling into the hands of the CCP!
By the way, Panama has "excused" itself from and has opted out of the BRIC agreement with the CCP.

Very few reading this even understand what I am referring to above. Most do not even know what BRI or BRIC are acronyms for, let alone what these CCP policies are, and how they are designed to undermine the USA!
Most probably do not care.
I do.
You should too!

 

[markfm]

Trump Live Updates: Tariff Rule Exempts Smartphones and Other Electronics From New China Levies

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[Steve_C]

Glass half-full....if all this goes South.... Maybe.... Ford/Lincoln will just give us the Nautilus at the end of lease?! One can dream.

Even with all the "first-year-model" challenges, we still love our Nautilus.

I know you may have made this comment about ownership retention as a gift from FoMoCo at end of lease as a pipe dream.
It actually would be an incredible way for the Motor Co. to "re-pay" or make whole the aggravations from the loss of value on the secondary market owners have to endure with this model.
Deflated value from "Buy-Backs being offered on the market at great value hurts the bottom line value of the Nautilus.
I even fear the value of my beloved 2023 will suffer from this...through no fault of the previous years product itself.
It will suffer because it is named "Nautilus".
Much like a family reputation being ruined by just one black sheep in the family....

I wish they would have called the Chinese Nautilus the Nautilus II, much like they did the Mustang II from the original Mustang.
Oh well...I can dream too...!

Your thoughts of leases being turned over to the leasee as compensation reminds me of the "college Tuition Loan" debates.
One thing to forgive those that have outstanding loans...but what about those that paid back the loans already?
How could FoMoCo ever repay or compensate the loyal & happy buyers for putting up with all endured with the 2024 Nautilus?
All happy 2024 Naut owners all say...I love my Chinese Nautilus...despite the "issues" or despite the "problems" or the "gremlins"...ad nauseum.
I believe all you folks should be compensated also!

If one leased a 2024 Naut that had engine failure, one thing to keep said vehicle with new engine installed, as it is not your problem after lease return.
The deflated value of that vehicle does not hurt you, with exemption that residual value after lease term would be lower, meaning you paid to much for the up front "usage portion" to start with.

If you bought your 2024 Naut, and kept it if it had a replacement engine, then you suffer because value is deflated.
In addition, it possibly may be noted on a "CARFAX" history report! What an albatross to be tossed into your boat!

All this being said...one can dream of compensation, and that is a nice dream I think all with this vehicle deserve!
I like postings that leave you with a smile after reading!

 

[Steve_C]

Wholesale orders for 25 model year have been canceled. No more retail orders taken....The value of one owned or on the lot may go up? We have about a 100 day supply. After that who knows?.... So there will be a gap in inventory for sure......

Well, not sure how anyone can conclude value's of sold & unsold Nauts will rise or may rise, but you are in the business & know more than I ever will.
You did not say what is the lease turnover (turn in?) rate, or how many lease returns and buy backs are on the lot. These will only increase in time.

What is so endearing about the 2025 Nautilus that will make folks say...gotta' get one before they are all gone?

Buying any vehicle at the end of its model run, especially low production models comes with challenges. With no replacement coming after it, parts availability and serviceability can be issues over term of ownership.

I have a 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII...gorgeous! Low production, end of the model run. Even before it was ten years old, NS availability for ABS sensors dried up, and shortly afterwards NOS as well. Now junkyard sensors are all you can find. Many, many more parts similar situation!

Can you imagine the parts situation as far as availability will be like going forward if the 2025 Naut is the end of the line?

 

[driller]

Lincoln Nautilus Will Continue To Be Imported From China Despite Tariffs​

https://fordauthority.com/2025/04/l...ue-to-be-imported-from-china-despite-tariffs/

 

[JMAB]

I know you may have made this comment about ownership retention as a gift from FoMoCo at end of lease as a pipe dream.
It actually would be an incredible way for the Motor Co. to "re-pay" or make whole the aggravations from the loss of value on the secondary market owners have to endure with this model.
Deflated value from "Buy-Backs being offered on the market at great value hurts the bottom line value of the Nautilus.
I even fear the value of my beloved 2023 will suffer from this...through no fault of the previous years product itself.
It will suffer because it is named "Nautilus".
Much like a family reputation being ruined by just one black sheep in the family....

I wish they would have called the Chinese Nautilus the Nautilus II, much like they did the Mustang II from the original Mustang.
Oh well...I can dream too...!

Your thoughts of leases being turned over to the leasee as compensation reminds me of the "college Tuition Loan" debates.
One thing to forgive those that have outstanding loans...but what about those that paid back the loans already?
How could FoMoCo ever repay or compensate the loyal & happy buyers for putting up with all endured with the 2024 Nautilus?
All happy 2024 Naut owners all say...I love my Chinese Nautilus...despite the "issues" or despite the "problems" or the "gremlins"...ad nauseum.
I believe all you folks should be compensated also!

If one leased a 2024 Naut that had engine failure, one thing to keep said vehicle with new engine installed, as it is not your problem after lease return.
The deflated value of that vehicle does not hurt you, with exemption that residual value after lease term would be lower, meaning you paid to much for the up front "usage portion" to start with.

If you bought your 2024 Naut, and kept it if it had a replacement engine, then you suffer because value is deflated.
In addition, it possibly may be noted on a "CARFAX" history report! What an albatross to be tossed into your boat!

All this being said...one can dream of compensation, and that is a nice dream I think all with this vehicle deserve!
I like postings that leave you with a smile after reading!

Great points of view and logic, across the board Steve! I was mostly dreaming but if they did have to kill the line of cars, due to current or future White House financial manipulation, it could be a real win-win option for both parties. Mainly as it would leave the asset nearly impossible to resell at the end of lease and return. Certainly some uncharted territory for several of the divisions within FoMoCo to navigate and maintain positive customer feelings and retention for the long haul.

Time will tell, but at this point I am sure glad that we are protected by the contractual leasing agreement and vehicle warranty to ensure that they have to continue to provide parts and services to resolve any issues that surface.