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 […]
Traffic Safety Recommendations for Automated Vehicles Subject of May 8 Panel Discussion
Governors Highway Safety Association to consider how to prepare motorists and law enforcement for changes due to autonomous vehicles As motor vehicle technologies continue to blur the definitions of “driver” and “machine,” the implications for the everyday motorist and the law enforcement officers on the front lines of highway safety can easily be overlooked. On […]
California Bureau of Automotive Repair Proposes New Collision Repair Regulations
Regulator proposes revised definitions for OEM and non-OEM crash parts, require equipment and information necessary to repair vehicle, mandate OEM repair specifications. At a regulatory workshop held April 18 in conjunction with its quarterly advisory committee meeting, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair detailed several proposed changes to collision repair regulations in the state. Among […]
California DMV Takes Next Step To Allow Light-Duty Autonomous Delivery Vehicles
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) released proposed regulations that establish a path for companies to test or deploy light-duty autonomous motor trucks (delivery vehicles) on the state’s public roads. The release of these regulations marks the start of a 45-day public comment period, which ends May 27. Under the proposed regulations, companies can […]
Europe Moves To Mandate Advanced Driver Assistance System to Reduce Accidents
The European Parliament is backing new measures to improve road safety and reduce road accidents. The rules would make a number of safety features compulsory in new cars. EU roads are the safest in the world with an average of 49 road fatalities per million inhabitants, against 174 deaths per million globally. Although road fatalities […]
U.S. Department of Labor Releases Updated Overtime Proposal
The proposed rule would boost standard salary level to $35,308 per year. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) yesterday announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would make more than a million more American workers eligible for overtime. Under currently enforced law, employees with a salary below $455 per week ($23,660 annually) must be […]
White House and California Discontinue Talks on Proposed Auto Emissions Regulations
On February 21, officials from the White House, Department of Transportation, and Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Trump Administration has decided to discontinue discussions with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding the proposed Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule. Despite the Administration’s best efforts to reach a common-sense solution, it is time to […]
Australia Releases Paper Outlining Mandatory OEM Service and Repair Information Sharing Proposal
Independent repair associations concerned about language on possible exclusions and lack of penalties for non-compliance. Australia’s Federal Government released its consultation paper that proposes key elements of a mandatory program for the sharing of vehicle service and repair information, including the establishment of a Service and Repair Information Sharing Advisory Committee. In 2017, the Australian […]
Consumer Federation Report Finds Auto Insurance Rate Growth Slowest in States with Active Regulations
According to the study, California drivers have saved $154 Billion over 30 years of active insurance oversight. Auto insurance rates have risen at a significantly slower pace in states that actively regulate auto insurance prices than those with less vigorous oversight processes, according to an analysis of nearly 30 years of data released today by […]
California Moves to Restrict Methylene Chloride in Paint Strippers
New regulation requires manufacturers to consider replacing methylene chloride with safer ingredients. As of January 1, manufacturers of paint and varnish strippers containing methylene chloride, a chemical that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) says has contributed to numerous deaths, will have to look for safer alternatives if they want to continue selling […]