Regulations
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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 -
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 -
Opinion
Big power’s EV charging strategy: Raise rates, overpromise, underdeliver, repeat
We grant publicly regulated utilities certain privileges in exchange for reliability and affordability. When they try to leverage that privilege to corner a new market, they deserve plenty of pushback.
By Jay Smith • Nov. 6, 2023 -
Tesla wins lawsuit over deadly Autopilot crash
A jury found the system had no manufacturing defect but did not consider whether it had a design defect.
By Michael Brady • Nov. 1, 2023 -
Cruise recalls driverless robotaxis after halting operations in 3 cities
The General Motors subsidiary is grappling with two federal investigations and a recent incident in which one of its cars left a pedestrian seriously injured.
By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 8, 2023 -
Ford, UAW reach tentative agreement to end strike
General Motors and Stellantis autoworkers could also receive significant raises if the union pressures them to meet or exceed Ford’s latest offer to raise top wages by more than 30% over the next four years.
By Eric Walz • Oct. 26, 2023 -
California suspends Cruise robotaxis for misrepresenting safety
The General Motors subsidiary withheld portions of a video showing a recent incident that left a pedestrian severely injured, the state DMV said.
By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2023 -
Tesla confirms DOJ investigation over inflated driving range estimates
The U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating allegations that the automaker improperly used company funds for CEO Elon Musk’s secret house project, according to a regulatory filing.
By Michael Brady • Oct. 25, 2023 -
Automakers slam Biden administration’s 58 mpg fuel economy standard
General Motors, Ford and Stellantis could pay $10.5 billion in fines if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalizes its recommendations, the American Automotive Policy Council said.
By Michael Brady • Oct. 20, 2023 -
BMW secures new battery material supplier in Canada
A new partnership with Umicore and added South Carolina production are scaling the automaker's EV supply chain strategy.
By Kate Magill • Oct. 19, 2023 -
Cruise faces federal investigation after driverless robotaxi severely injures pedestrian
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating four incidents involving Cruise autonomous vehicles and pedestrians in San Francisco.
By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 17, 2023 -
OSHA proposes $270K in fines against GM, LG Energy Solution battery company
The federal agency discovered 19 health and safety violations at Ultium Cells’ Ohio facility, including exposing workers to dangerous chemicals used to produce batteries.
By Sara Samora • Oct. 17, 2023 -
Opinion
As EV cyber risks rise, careful procurement planning can prevent headaches
Unsecured electric vehicle charging stations may introduce malicious software to EVs, creating cybersecurity and liability risks for companies building their own charging networks.
By Arjun Ramadevanahalli • Oct. 13, 2023 -
Top automotive industry conferences in 2024
Upcoming events will touch on electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, software-defined vehicles, supply chain management and more.
By Michael Brady • Updated Oct. 12, 2023 -
How the UAW strike is impacting supplier operations
The strike has caused some down-tier suppliers to hold inventory, while others may see cash flow delays.
By Kelly Stroh • Oct. 9, 2023 -
Are EV tax credits too hard to use? The Biden administration thinks so.
In January, car shoppers will be able to transfer their clean vehicle tax credits to dealers to lower the purchase price of electrified vehicles.
By Michael Brady • Oct. 6, 2023 -
Nevada is an EV battery gold mine
Home to one of the country’s largest active lithium deposits, the state is becoming a hot spot for EV and battery manufacturing.
By Sakshi Udavant • Oct. 5, 2023 -
EVs could reach 86% of global vehicle sales by 2030
Although electric vehicles took roughly six years to get from 1% to 10% of global market share, it will take just six more years to reach 80% adoption, an RMI report says.
By Eric Walz • Oct. 2, 2023 -
Suppliers say automakers must balance sustainability with safety, costs
Greater standardization of targets and measures would help the automotive industry reach net-zero emissions globally by 2050, a Center for Automotive Research report says.
By Michael Brady • Oct. 2, 2023