Rise in vehicle prices could mean boost in business for Saskatoon repair shop

Saskatoon’s Robert Scott isn’t afraid of the U.S. President’s incoming 25 per cent tariffs on all auto imports coming into the United States.

Scott owns Glenwood Auto Service in Bridge City and thinks it could help his auto repair shop.

“It possibly could be positive for a business like mine,” Scott said when asked about the impact of Trump’s auto import tariffs could have on his business.

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“If prices of vehicles go up 25 per cent, a lot of people may not opt to buy a new vehicle. They may end up deciding to fix their old one as opposed to maybe trading them in or selling them and buying a new one.”

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Candace Laing said in a statement earlier this week that the tariffs could add thousands of dollars to the cost of a vehicle.

“The Canadian and American auto sectors are heavily intertwined — automotive parts can cross international borders up to eight times before a vehicle is finally assembled,” Laing added in her statement.

Scott admits he hasn’t noticed the trend of more people going out of their way to repair vehicles quite yet.

“Things haven’t changed as of yet. February, March this year; we’re kind of the same as February and March every year. We got busier when it got colder during the cold snap in February,” Scott said.

“In March, we get a little busier once spring starts to come and people decide they’re going to start driving their vehicles – whether it be for the long weekend in Easter or they’re going to start getting them ready for lake season,” Scott added.

“We haven’t seen a lot of difference in our sales or how busy we are. I don’t think the tariffs have made a difference yet or if they even will – I don’t know.”

Despite several sectors, like steel and aluminum, being hit hard by the tariffs across the country, Scott said it personally hasn’t impacted his business, especially when it comes to purchasing new parts from other places.

In the last month, Trump has implemented 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum goods and a 10 per cent tariff on energy exports.

“I haven’t noticed this. I haven’t looked at a part and gone, ‘Wow, is that that ever a lot more money than I remember it being,’” he said. “Honestly, as of right now, I haven’t seen a big increase in parts that has shocked me or brought to my attention.”