Trump Lambasts GM over Mexican-Made Cruze Hatchback

President-elect Donald Trump today lambasted General Motors for selling Mexican-made Chevrolet Cruze hatchbacks in the U.S., and has threatened the automaker with a tax on vehicles imported from Mexico.

“General Motors is sending Mexican made model of Chevy Cruze to U.S. car dealers-tax free across border. Make in U.S.A or pay big border tax!” Trump said on Twitter.

Trump is referring to the Cruze hatchback, which is built at GM’s plant in Coahuila, Mexico, for a number of global markets. Last year, GM imported about 4,500 Cruze hatchbacks into the U.S., according to Reuters. Meanwhile, all Cruze sedans sold in the U.S. in 2016 (approximately 185,500 units) were made in Lordstown, Ohio.

GM responded to Trump’s tweet with a statement posted on its website. “All Chevrolet Cruze sedans sold in the U.S. are built in GM’s assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio. GM builds the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for global markets in Mexico, with a small number sold in the U.S.”

Trump’s threat comes just weeks after he invited GM CEO Mary Barra to take part in his Strategic and Policy Forum, a group that consists of 16 corporate executives who will provide input on the economy and jobs. Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk is also a part of the advisory group.

Trump has been critical of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has allowed companies like GM and Ford to take advantage of lower labor and production costs in Mexico. Trump has threatened any U.S. company that shifts production from the United States to Mexico with tariffs on all imported products. Just today, Ford announced it’s cancelling its planned assembly plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, though CEO Mark Fields insists the move is not political.

Source: Reuters, CNN Money, Automotive News (Subscription required)

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