Auto industry supports gradual increases in fuel economy, opponents promise lawsuits. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule setting corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) and CO2 emissions standards for model years 2021-2026 passenger cars and […]
NHTSA Grants Low-Speed Driverless Delivery Vehicle Safety Exemption to Test Up to 5000 Vehicles on Public Roads
Nuro plans to begin public testing in Houston, Texas within weeks. NHTSA announced February 6 that it granted Nuro’s request for a temporary exemption from some low-speed vehicle standard requirements. The exemption will allow the company to deploy up to 5,000 of its 2nd generation low-speed, occupantless electric delivery vehicle, the “R2.” Unlike a conventional […]
Business Groups Applaud Senate Passage of USMCA
Automotive and general business groups are applauding the passage of the the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that was negotiated in 2018 to replace the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In a rare display of bi-partisanship in the face of the impeachment trial of President Trump, the Senate voted 89-10 yesterday in support of the […]
Vermont Insurance Division Bulletin Cautions Insurers that Consumers Can Request Physical Inspections versus Virtual Claims Systems
The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation Division of Insurance issued its Insurance Bulletin No. 206 titled Virtual Adjustment of Vehicle Partial And Total Loss Claims that clarifies that insurance companies must provide an in-person inspection by a licensed adjuster within a reasonable period of time if requested by a claimant. According to the bulletin, the […]
NTSB Says ‘Inadequate Safety Culture’ Contributed to Uber Automated Test Vehicle Crash
Safety Board calls for Federal review process for automated vehicle testing on public roads. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called upon federal regulators Tuesday to create a review process before allowing automated test vehicles to operate on public roads, based upon the agency’s investigation of a fatal collision between an Uber automated test vehicle […]
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Overtime Rule
Rule will raise standard salary level from $455 to $684 per week on January 1. The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to make 1.3 million American workers eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). “For the first time in over 15 years, America’s workers will have an update […]
NHTSA, EPA Move to Revoke California Exemption on Fuel Economy Standards
Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took an initial step towards finalizing the proposed Safer, Affordable, Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule by issuing a final action entitled the “One National Program Rule,” which will enable the federal government to provide nationwide uniform fuel […]
Automakers and Colorado Officials Announce Agreement on Electric Vehicles
Colorado consumers can expect to see more electrified vehicles on the roads sooner as the result of a collaborative effort between automakers and state officials over the past year. The auto industry and the Polis administration are pleased to announce that both parties are filing a joint alternative regulatory proposal to implement the California Zero […]
California Reaches Vehicle Emission Standard Compromise with Four Manufacturers
Four vehicle manufacturers and California have agreed on a voluntary framework to reduce emissions that can serve as an alternative path forward for clean vehicle standards nationwide. Automakers who agreed to the framework are Ford, Honda, BMW of North America and Volkswagen Group of America. The announcement comes as the Trump Administration has been moving […]
Auto Manufacturers and Parts Suppliers Applaud Mexican Passage of USMCA
Mexico is the first country to ratify the new free trade agreement for North America. Vehicles manufacturers and OEM and aftermarket parts suppliers are applauding the ratification yesterday by Mexico of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that was negotiated last year to replace the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The agreement includes updated rules […]