Disagrees with Auto Alliance position calling for Federal intervention in state vehicle data access regulations. In an open letter to vehicle manufacturers, the Global Alliance for Vehicle Data Access (GAVDA), a group of global stakeholders and united by a goal of maintaining control by motor vehicle owners over personal and vehicle-generated data, detailed their disagreement […]
PPG Launches Waterborne Refinish System in China
PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced that its automotive refinish business in China launched a new waterborne coating system consisting of an epoxy primer, primer surfacer and clearcoat. The system complies with new environmental and volatile organic compound (VOC) standards in China that will take effect in December 2020. “PPG is at the forefront of compliance […]
Department of Labor Revises Regulations to Clarify Paid Leave Requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The revisions made by the new rule clarify workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities under the FFCRA’s paid leave provisions, in […]
Rhode Island Reinstitutes Requirements for Physical Inspection of Collision Repair Claims Following Reopening
Insurance regulator will resume enforcement of regulations requiring physical inspections on claims over $2500. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Insurance Division announced it will resume enforcement of physical inspection requirements that had been paused in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. On July 1, the Division updated its Bulletin Number 2020-2 that had […]
California Regulation to Eliminate Diesel Trucks by 2045
The California Air Resources Board adopted a first-in-the-world rule requiring truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024. By 2045, every new truck sold in California will be zero-emission. “California is an innovation juggernaut that is going electric. We are showing the world that we can move […]
Indiana Prohibits Handheld Phone Usage from July 1
Effective July 1, using a handheld phone while operating a moving motor vehicle in Indiana is prohibited. According to Hilary Segura, assistant vice president and counsel, state government relations for the American Property Casualty insurance Association (APCIA), “Distracted driving and the ubiquitous use of smartphones behind the wheel are widely believed to be one of […]
Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition Calls for Signatures to Support Ballot Initiative
The Massachusetts Right to Repair coalition is asking for support for its effort to include a revamped right to repair law on the November ballot in the Commonwealth. According to the group, it needs 20,000 signatures on a petition to ensure that the Right to Repair is placed on the ballot. “Usually, we would reach […]
U.S. Department of Labor Begins Enforcement of Expanded Paid Leave Provisions Enacted in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Labor announced yesterday the end of the temporary period of non-enforcement of paid leave protections under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). FFCRA helps combat the workplace effects of the coronavirus by reimbursing America’s private employers with fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for the cost of providing employees […]
U.S. DOT and EPA Announce Final Rule on 2021-2026 Fuel Economy Standards
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 […]