Acting NHTSA administrator is stepping down

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been without a permanent administrator since Ann Carlson was appointed to lead the agency in September 2022.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 18, 2023

GM shakes up product development team amid EV, Cruise troubles

The news comes as General Motors struggles to launch new EVs, and its self-driving unit Cruise faces an uncertain future.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 18, 2023

Automakers could face anti-drunk driving technology mandate

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration aims to publish its final rule before the end of next year, with manufacturers needing to comply as soon as 2026.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 15, 2023

GM’s Cruise unit lays off 24% of its workforce a day after executive dismissals

About 900 employees are impacted by the job cuts, which come as the company slows down commercialization of its autonomous products to focus on improving its technology.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 15, 2023

Treasury releases guidance on IRA clean energy tax credits

Battery manufacturers can receive a tax credit on a percentage of their production costs until 2033.

By Joelle Anselmo • Dec. 15, 2023

GM’s Cruise unit dismisses 9 top executives amid safety probes

COO Gil West was among the executives let go from the automaker's robotaxi division.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 14, 2023

FTC finalizes rule to fight dealer bait-and-switch tactics, junk fees

The Combating Auto Retail Scams rule bans dealers from misrepresenting key information like price or charging consumers for add-ons that do not provide them with a benefit.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 14, 2023

Tesla’s largest-ever recall: 2M vehicles to get Autopilot fix

The automaker says the system’s driver monitoring controls may not be sufficient to prevent the misuse of its Autosteer advanced driver assist feature.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 13, 2023

Auto industry groups lobby for federal autonomous vehicle rules as skepticism grows

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was supposed to publish its proposal in November but has not.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 13, 2023

Autoworkers accuse Honda, VW and Hyundai of retaliating against unionization efforts

The workers said they are filing unfair labor complaints against the three companies as they try to rally support to join the United Auto Workers union.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 12, 2023

Stellantis blames California emissions standards for potential layoffs

The Jeep maker may lay off thousands of workers at its factories in Detroit and Toledo as early as Feb. 5.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 11, 2023

House passes CARS Act to halt EPA’s proposed tailpipe emission standards

Proponents of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act have said the environmental agency’s proposal is a de facto EV mandate.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 7, 2023

New IRA guidance limits battery components made in China

The long-awaited proposed guidelines clarify how the law’s “foreign entity of concern” requirements will impact automakers’ ability to qualify for EV tax credits.

By Kate Magill • Dec. 1, 2023

It’s Time to Mandate V2V Technology, and Do It Now

We’ve wasted years discussing other picayune safety measures that have nowhere near the life-saving potential of V2V.

By John McElroy • Dec. 1, 2023

Dealerships call on Biden administration to slow EV transition

A coalition of more than 3,000 dealers wrote a letter to the president saying battery electric vehicles “are stacking up in our lots.”

By Kalena Thomhave • Nov. 30, 2023

Biden administration sets new rule for monitoring on-road GHG emissions

The Federal Highway Administration rule requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to establish CO2 emissions reductions targets, setting up a fight with congressional Republicans.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 29, 2023

Toyota’s financial arm to pay $60M for illegal lending, credit reporting misconduct

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Toyota Motor Credit Corporation withheld refunds, refunded incorrect amounts and provided false data to consumer reporting companies.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 20, 2023

Cruise CEO resigns amid safety probes into company’s robotaxis

The company’s robotaxi fleet remains grounded in California after one of the vehicles struck a pedestrian in downtown San Francisco in early October.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 20, 2023

Energy Department offers $3.5B for battery manufacturing

The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go towards new, retrofitted and expanded battery and critical mineral production sites.

By Kate Magill • Nov. 16, 2023

UAW members vote to approve GM labor deal despite opposition

Nearly 55% of autoworkers represented by the United Auto Workers at General Motors voted “yes” to approve the deal, but 13 facilities rejected it.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 16, 2023

Pickups, vans and SUVs with tall hoods 45% more likely to kill pedestrians

The average U.S. passenger vehicle is about eight inches taller and 1,000 pounds heavier than it was 30 years ago, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study says.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 15, 2023

‘End the unsafe operation’ of autonomous vehicles, union leaders tell US DOT

Federal oversight and more investigations into AV companies are urgently needed as robotaxis wreak chaos in public spaces, said 26 labor unions in a Wednesday letter.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 10, 2023

Automakers warn NHTSA proposal creates de facto occupancy detection mandate

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s seat belt reminder rule will also annoy or confuse drivers, an auto industry group says.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 10, 2023

GM halts production of the Cruise Origin robotaxi

The decision comes after California regulators ordered Cruise to cease operations after a pedestrian was struck by one of its self-driving vehicles in downtown San Francisco.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 8, 2023

Installing AM radio in EVs could cost automakers $3.8B

The costs stem from mitigating electromagnetic interference caused by electric vehicle propulsion systems, a Center for Automotive Research report says.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 8, 2023