Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is feeling pretty good about President Donald Trump's tariffs on cars and car parts. In fact, he thinks they're "winning the day."

Speaking with Fox Business on Thursday from Monterey Car Week in California, Lutnick said the Section 232 auto tariffs are doing exactly what they were designed to do: bring auto manufacturing back to American soil. "These tariffs are bringing auto manufacturing home," he said.

He pointed to Ford Motor Co. Ford (F) as a prime example. The automaker recently announced it would move production of its Lincoln vehicles to the U.S. by 2030, a move Lutnick says will be a game-changer. "Ford is going to rock us with bringing manufacturing back to America."

He also gave a shout-out to Toyota Motor Corp Toyota (TM), praising the Japanese automaker's plans to expand U.S. manufacturing. "All their trucks, their Tacoma, their Tundra, they make these trucks in America," Lutnick said, noting he was impressed by Toyota's facilities in San Antonio, Texas, and in Kentucky.

The bottom line, according to Lutnick: "Thousands and thousands of jobs coming back to America because of these tariffs on automotives."

But it's not just about bringing jobs back. Lutnick also sees this as an opportunity to bring a new generation into the manufacturing workforce. "We're gonna have to train young people for these high-tech jobs," he said, adding that companies are already taking on young professionals "right out of high school" to train them, offering wages starting at "23 bucks an hour."

Ford's Domestic Push

Ford CEO Jim Farley has been equally enthusiastic about the company's move to start building some Lincoln models in the U.S. The decision, he says, was heavily influenced by tariffs. The Lincoln Nautilus, currently imported from China, was hit with a 52.5% tariff, making domestic production a much more attractive option.

Farley framed the move in patriotic terms. "Ford builds in America because we believe in America, and we're betting on that belief again," he said in an official statement.

Ford has also been making headlines on the EV front. The automaker recently revealed the name of its upcoming sub-$30,000 electric pickup truck, which will compete with Tesla Inc. Tesla (TSLA) Cybertruck. It's called the Fathom.

"We named it Fathom because real depth comes from deeply understanding how you live," the company said in a statement.

So, is this the dawn of a new era for American manufacturing? Lutnick certainly thinks so. With tariffs pushing automakers to bring production home, and companies like Ford and Toyota investing big in U.S. facilities, the landscape is shifting. And if Lutnick's predictions hold, we could see a lot more "Made in America" badges on our cars in the coming years.