Under the weight of Trump's tariffs, Ford's (F.US) most popular pickup truck has been thrust into the spotlight.

For the purpose of weight reduction and to enhance the fuel efficiency of its top-selling F-150 pickup truck, Ford (F.US) has increased its reliance on imported aluminum in production, putting the popular model at the center of President Trump's trade policy.

On Wednesday, the U.S. government imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S., aiming to create a fair competition environment for American manufacturers.

However, as the U.S. produces little such metal for manufacturing, the tariffs are expected to raise input costs, which will push up the price of the F-150 by about $400 per vehicle, according to media reports. Unless Ford passes the cost to consumers, the tariffs could have a similar effect as in 2018, which could cut the company's profit by $1 billion.

Automakers use about 500 pounds of aluminum per vehicle, making the industry the largest user of imported aluminum. Although the metal is rolled in U.S. mills, its raw materials are imported from overseas, with 75% of the U.S. raw materials coming from Canada, where electricity costs are lower and local smelters are powered mainly by hydroelectric plants.

As the U.S. continues to rely on foreign producers due to the lack of cheap electricity, the entire auto industry is vulnerable. While the aluminum usage in F-150 is the highest, the tariffs affect all automakers, especially electric vehicle makers such as Tesla, which use the lightweight metal extensively in their bodies to offset the weight of heavy batteries.

Fortunately, automakers such as Ford and General Motors (GM.US) have signed long-term contracts for steel and aluminum that cover the next several months. If the tariffs remain in effect, this could delay the price increase until the summer.