US tariffs exemption welcomed by UK historic and classic vehicles sector

Bicester, Oxfordshire, 03 April 2025 – The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance, a leading British automotive trade organisation advocating the preservation, promotion, and enjoyment of historic and classic vehicles, has welcomed an exemption for vehicles over 25 years of age from a 25% global tariff on all imported foreign cars. The historic and classic vehicles sector supports a vibrant industry protecting an important industrial and design legacy that preserves valuable specialist skills on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dale Keller, CEO of the HCVA said “Despite the serious impacts to the wider automotive sector, we are pleased that the Trump administration has made a rational decision to apply an exemption to vehicles over 25 years of age. Historic vehicles are by nature already built, classified and valued and there is no ability to recreate them as newly manufactured in the USA. Applying a penalising tariff would have served no policy objective.”

ENDS

About the HCVA

Established in 2021, the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance is a not-for-profit trade organisation founded to represent the collective voice of industry within the historic and classic vehicle sector, supported by individual owners and enthusiasts. The HCVA campaigns to increase awareness and education of the sector's economic and social benefits across four key pillars of regulation & policy; environment & sustainability; education & skills, and community.

Through collaboration, transparency, and proactive lobbying the HCVA ensures the views of its members are heard by those responsible for policy and regulation, and that they can be challenged and held accountable.

For more information, please contact:

Dale Keller
Chief Executive Officer
Email: press@hcva.co.uk
Phone: 07740 174 815