If you are in the market for a new Volkswagen, prepare for a bigger price tag. New taxes on imports from Europe mean most customers buying a 2026 Volkswagen will be facing higher prices. This applies to not only German-built Volkswagens but also all other variants that may be assembled in North America.Why Are Volkswagen’s Prices Going Up?The increased price is a result of the new 15% tax imposed on imported German vehicles.The reasoning behind this increase is to encourage U.S. manufacturing and enhance the economy.However, the consumers (car buyers) end up footing the bill at the dealership and during transportation to the dealership.The cost just to bring a Volkswagen into a dealership is increased by $50. Coupled with tariffs on engines and transmissions, the changes in the trade policy are causing Volkswagens to be more expensive across the country.How Tariffs Will Determine Car PricingAuto manufacturers pass most tariff costs down to consumers. In the case of Volkswagen, since it has a supply chain around the globe, all "domestic" models are affected by the condition of their parts if they come from outside the country.Ultimately, the price you pay for your Volkswagen will depend on several factors:Where the car gets assembled.Where the major components (engine) were built.Increased destination fees, including any new fees.Which Volkswagen Models Are Affected the Most?Golf GTI (German built) - $35,865 - increase of about 6.5%Golf R (German built) - $50,730 - increase of about 5%Jetta S (assembled in Mexico) - $25,270 - increase of about 4%Taos FWD (assembled in Mexico) - $27,975 - increase of about 4%Atlas SE FWD (built in the U.S.) - $40,785 - increase of about 3%What Does This Mean to Consumers?Consumers may prepare for high prices for vehicles translating into higher payments in regard to factors of shipping costs and increased dealer fees to customers.This may lead to a greater importance placed on consumers to determine whether or not the model and/or trim they prefer is affected by this change in policy. There could be greater amounts of dealer incentives to sell cars or utilize additional features on the vehicle to cover the new costs.With price increases across Audis ranging as high as $4,700 for some models, you can expect the change in trade policy to affect buyers on every level.Effects Across the Entire Industry and Future ChangesThe possibility of changes to the distribution of imported models versus all U.S.-built vehicles, including some of their features or model availability, will impact the industry moving forward.While some consumers may drift toward the "domestic" or U.S.-built models, the pricing strategy could change to include trims (lower-end) or features that the consumer is ultimately most satisfied with upgrading for the features that were once part of "upper-end" models.ConclusionThe pricing for Volkswagen's best-selling Tiguan SUV has not been announced yet, but is expected to increase as well.This new potential tariff situation is a direct result of the new tariffs on certain sun standings for regular vehicles across the globe in a trade policy that is establishing tariffs across various states.Be prepared for more price changes, and consider timing your decision when shopping for a new vehicle, as it relates to the tariff impacts on that purchase.

A name that illustrates raw power and unpolished performance—Lamborghini is entering a new frontier: artificial intelligence. This does not have to do with self-driving supercars, however. The Italian automaker is working on an AI-based system called 'AI driving coach' that will act as a real-time 'driving coach' and train your bad habits before you even know you have bad habits. It can change the way one thinks about our relationship between man and machine.Lamborghini AI VisionChief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr stated that Lamborghini is already using a rudimentary form of machine learning, where the system looks at the type of road and the experience of the driver in actively managing torque distribution.There's even more ambitious plans in the future!Emotionally Adaptive: Cars that recognize your emotional state and adjust the driving experience around it.Optimized Driving Experience: AI will adjust itself whether you are enjoying a fun track day or simply relaxing on a long drive.How AI will Help you Develop SkillsThe primary focus is not to remove the responsibility of the driver but to enhance the driver. AI should recognize common driving errors and adapt or balance the driver to make them a better smoother driver.Some of the anticipated features of the AI system;Intelligent Cornering: Discover cornering errors where the driver has an excessively high steering angle and will adjust itself to help avoid understeering.Adaptive Driving Experience: Once the AI recognizes the driver wants to drift it will allow conscious slip, while handling the response of the car smoothly make this experience as safe as possible.Personal Feedback Over Time: The AI will recognize the style of the driver over time and fill in performance gaps.The "6D Sensor" as a Central Nervous System Powering the Future: One of the innovations is a new "6D Sensor" which will be a centralized sensor and will perform the duties of many sensors at once.Benefits of the Sensor:Fast Communication: The sensor will reduce lag between the sensor feedback and AI hardware—allowing the systems to continue real-time adjustments.Precision: This is critical for high speeds and will help return instant feedback.The technology has already been hinted at with the Lamborghini Fenomeno, possibly arriving sooner than expected.The Upside and Downside of AIIs the idea of an AI co-pilot in a V12 engine supercar exciting? Of course, but it also raises questions.Upside:Improving the Driver: With high performance and newer sports cars, the world of car driving will be established with the reward of being behind the wheel.Safety: The resume of understanding how to slew the unpredictable power of a Lamborghini will be assisting so the driver can encompass the feeling.Downside:Purity for usability Will AI and other technology dilute the spirited experience in cars high on power and high performance? For now, the idea of a car actively helping the driver understand mastering this type of power to operate safely is worth a glance into the future of luxury performance.