Buy a Car Now at 2026's Inflated Prices — Could You Lose Big When the Surcharge Lifts in 2027?

The 50% customs duty surcharge on vehicle imports has been in force since May 2026 and is extended to 31 December. Importers and economists are now warning that if the surcharge isn't renewed and supply normalises next year, cars bought today at these inflated prices could lose serious resale value fast, leaving recent buyers sitting on a loss while late movers get a cheaper, better-supplied market. One side says: don't wait, prices might never come down, permits get tighter, and you need the vehicle now for work or family — a "loss on paper" doesn't matter if you're not selling. The other side says: paying millions extra today to avoid a maybe-tax-cut tomorrow is reckless, especially on lease, where the loan is fixed but the car's value isn't. If you bought in 2026, are you worried about what your car will be worth in a year? If you're holding off, what signal would make you pull the trigger? මිල වැඩි කාලෙක අද කාර් එකක් ගන්නද, මිල අඩු වෙනකම් ඉන්නද?