The news hit like an out-of-control spin in the final corner: Fanatec has significantly raised the prices of its products in the U.S. after launching its new website. It wasn’t an official announcement, but rather a near-sleuth-like discovery by the more observant users.
And the numbers are no small thing. The Gran Turismo DD Pro 5Nm jumped from $749.99 to $949.99. The 8Nm version leapt to $1,129.98. And the DD Extreme — the beast of the lineup — now costs $1,699.99. That’s an increase of up to 33% in some cases.
The reason? It’s not just Fanatec. The root of the issue lies in the new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imported goods from China, where Fanatec’s hardware is manufactured. Since March, the tariffs have sat at 20%, but starting April 9, they’re expected to rise to a staggering 104%. And while Fanatec is now owned by U.S.-based Corsair, that hasn’t shielded them from the impact.
As a passionate sim racer, I can’t help but feel a mix of frustration and resignation. On one hand, I understand that companies have to adapt to shifting market conditions. On the other, I worry that this financial barrier will push away those who are just getting started or dreaming of making the leap to pro-level gear.
The sim racing community has always been diverse — united by passion more than purchasing power. But with these prices, many will feel like the pit lane has closed before they’ve even had the chance to fire up their engines.
All we can do now is hope the situation stabilizes. Because at the end of the day, everyone deserves the thrill of that perfect corner, that controlled slide, that racing heartbeat… without having to break the bank.
Enjoy the latest Fanatec deals and products by clicking here!
Happy Racing!
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Maybe those in the US are now realising that democracy isn’t a popularity contest. Be careful what you wish for. You may just get it
Actually technically it is a popularity contest because the most votes wins.
And to think you can still lose while winning the popular vote…
Fanatec didn’t add the tax. Trump did. Now get over it
Fanatec can suck up the cost shouldn’t be passed to a buyer
That’s not how it works. Tariffs are virtually always passed on to the buyers.
Why should fanatec suck up the cost? Suckers who voted Trump in are good at sucking it up so suck it up suckers
i would think with the slave labor in china that they could absorb the cost.
Edward, the tariffs imposed by Trump on country x are paid by US businesses that import from country x. The $2bn per day Trump is heralding comes from US business and consumer pockets, not country x.
The dumb stuff Trump voters believe. They’ll never absorb the cost. Trump is the one raising your prices.
Exactly
For one, the tariffs haven’t kicked in yet. For two, all that is overstock right now. They havent paid any tariff yet so this is unnecessary to raise these prices so much. So they sell what they have and bring the manufacturing to the states. That’s the point in the tariffs. Other corsair products haven’t went up a third in price. I love my Fanatec stuff but I’ll sell it and switch companies. For that price range, the competition is way better.
Why pay a ton of money and time to train a country of people who have zero manufacturing experience other than automotive assembly, who have no expertise in making or using the machines necessary for mold tooling, in order to capture a niche market that sells probably less than 5000 units a year. Manufacturing for products like this isn’t coming back to the states, sorry bud. As far as overstock, you obviously raise prices before hand in preparation. It’s the perfect excuse to increase margins. Do people not understand how a business works? It’s not difficult.
This definitely killed my dream of owning one been saving a couple months but now it seems unobtainable and that really breaks my heart
Take it up with the Don
Anything that has already been shipped from another country, is not subject to the new tariffs. Any company that is already raising their prices, is taking advantage of consumers.
First for anyone crying about this, choose American either thrustmaster or logitech. Fanatec is a great wheel dont get me wrong but as a combat veteran I understand sacrifice for the better good. For the better of our country its a small thing. Your sim wheel isnt a priority.
Logitech isn’t an american company. And BOTH companies manufacture their products in China.
Note: Edited by admin
All valid points. Several concerns here, speaking as an American.
1) The idea that raising tariffs and that cost NOT getting passed to consumers is something that NOBODY should believe. Then again, Donald Trump is not necessarily a shrewd, intelligent, or successful businessman.
2) Companies, whether than need to or not, are sure to raise prices, as it is a simple way to equal out the tariff costs, and more likely increase profit, all while having a “good excuse” for the increase.
3) Even if this tariff mess gets straightened out, and all the new tariffs are reversed, it will be surprising if the prices increases will also get reversed.
Guess I won’t be adding to my Fanatec gear anytime soon…