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

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

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

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

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