Automotive
US chassis makers seek duties on imports from Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam
Written by Laura Miller
March 27, 2025
Upon the request of US chassis manufacturers, the Commerce Department this week initiated investigations into the alleged dumping and subsidization of chassis imported from Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Chassis are the load-bearing framework of automobiles, typically made of steel, aluminum, or a combination of both. This case covers finished and unfinished chassis and subassemblies, whether assembled or unassembled.
The US Chassis Manufacturers Coalition, which includes Cheetah Chassis Corp. and Stoughton Trailers, says these imports are causing severe damage to the domestic industry.
Their petition, filed with Commerce and the International Trade Commission, argues these imports threaten the industry’s survival and US supply chains.
“Without relief, US chassis manufacturers will be forced to shutter production, and the industry will collapse,” the coalition warned in the petition.
The coalition alleges that chassis from Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam are being sold at unfairly low prices, with Mexican and Thai manufacturers also accused of benefiting from additional government subsidies.
The estimated dumping margins are substantial, making it difficult for US manufacturers to compete, the petition claims. It estimates dumping margins of 32.37% for Mexico, 234.06% for Thailand, and 304.68% for Vietnam.
Despite strong demand for chassis in recent years, US producers have struggled due to a flood of underpriced imports, according to the petition. The result has been falling sales, declining profits, and reduced factory operations.
The petition says imports from these countries have surged in recent years, far exceeding US market demand. In 2022, for example, imported chassis outnumbered actual registrations, showing the degree of oversupply.
Companies in Thailand, Vietnam, and Mexico have expanded production specifically to target the US market, further intensifying pressure on domestic producers.
The coalition warns that if the government does not intervene, the US chassis industry will continue to suffer. Many manufacturers have already reduced production and laid off workers. With a potential economic slowdown on the horizon, the presence of cheap foreign imports could be even more damaging.
Commerce said this week it is initiating the anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations brought by the Coalition. The ITC will issue its preliminary injury determination by April 14. If affirmative, the case moves forward, and Commerce will issue preliminary subsidy margins by May 22 and prelim dumping rates by Aug. 5.

Laura Miller
Read more from Laura MillerLatest in Automotive

Auto growth to slow amid tariff uncertainty
CRU Group revised down its forecast for North American auto production by about 800,000 to 14.7 million this year.

Supply chain issue temporarily halts Ford assembly plant
Ford Motor Co. started a planned outage early at its Chicago assembly plant due to a supply chain issue.

CRU: Tariffs set to dampen global auto growth
The recently announced US tariffs on vehicles and key components from all markets are expected to significantly disrupt global production.

Mercedes-Benz wants to make another vehicle in the US
Mercedes-Benz is planning to move production of a “core segment vehicle” to Tuscaloosa, Ala., by 2027.

Trump plans to relax some auto tariffs
It's just the latest change for US trade policy