The 2024 election cost organized labor — especially the UAW — influence in Washington, D.C. It also handed an old foe, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, more sway over industry and labor in the new administration. Get the story at Headlight.News.
Government
Car Buyers At Risk as Trump Prepares to Roll Back Consumer Protection Rules
Bait-and-switch, hidden fees and other dealer scams could proliferate under the incoming administration of Donald Trump, experts warn, as the president-elect signals plans to eliminate or scale back various consumer protection rules.
Trump’s Second Term Presents Opportunities, Poses Risk to Auto Industry, Says Top Toyota Exec
After scoring a major win in the election this week, President-elect Donald Trump is widely expected to move quickly on a broad agenda when taking office next January. He has made it clear this will include a number of issues critical to the auto industry, including tariffs and EVs. That presents some significant opportunities for manufacturers, but also poses quite a few risks, said a senior Toyota executive who spoke to Headlight.News shortly after Trump’s victory was confirmed.
Feds End Query into 411K Ford Vehicles Suddenly Losing Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it was ending its investigation into complaints about a problem with Ford pickups and SUVs suddenly losing power. It covered as many as 411,000 vehicles. Get details at Headlight.News.
Nearly 350K Flood-Damaged Cars Potentially Could be For Sale — And More May be Coming
Back-to-back hurricanes contributed to the staggering total of almost 347,000 flood-damaged vehicles on the East Coast of the U.S. Hurricanes Milton and Helene damaged scores of vehicles with flood waters and other problems. Add those to the thousands of other water-damaged vehicles from other smaller storms this summer, it doesn’t take much to see how this can become a massive problem. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Chinese Automakers Planning to Add Overseas Production to Sidestep Tariffs, Trade Barriers
Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding exports to key regions like Europe and Latin America after long focusing on their home market. But that’s created problems as target markets fight back with new tariffs and other trade restrictions. As a result, some Chinese manufacturers are looking to shift production abroad – and that could include factories in the U.S.
Motorcyclists Wearing Helmets Die Less Often
Helmet laws often create discord among motorcyclists, the medical community and other safety experts. The latest study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety isn’t likely to quell any of the disagreements. The report shows more than 22,000 riders would’ve have survived fatal crashes during the last four decades. Find out more at Headlight.News.
Dock Strike Poses Problems for Carmakers, Car Buyers
A strike by longshoreman called in dispute over wages and use of automation threatens to choke off shipments to ports on the East and Gulf coasts, threatening to delay deliveries of everything from groceries to autos and auto parts.
Biden Administration Pushes Forward with Chinese Connected Car Ban
The Biden administration pushed forward with plans to make it difficult to import vehicles from China. The Department of Commerce proposed a rule that would ban vehicles equipped with Chinese-made connected vehicle technologies. Get details at Headlight.News.
Californians Could Soon Get Warned Every Time They Speed
It’s now up to California Gov. Gavin Newsom to decide whether to sign a new bill that would require automakers to install a “passive intelligent speed assistance system” into all new vehicles sold in the state starting no later than 2030. Lawmakers sent the governor the measure as part of a crackdown on speeding – which is reportedly involved in a third of the state’s fatal crashes. The measure mandates the use of a warning device but some safety advocates want to go further, installing speed limiters.
Feds Report Traffic Fatalities Fell 3.2 Percent in First Half of Year
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported U.S. traffic deaths declined 3.2% during the first six months of this year. Fatalities have declined for nine straight quarters. Read the story at Headlight.News.
Think EVs Are Expensive? Check the Cost of the Average a Plug-In Hybrid
As the growth of EV sales has slowed in recent months, automakers have begun looking at electrified alternatives, many betting that plug-in hybrids will become a “bridge” technology for motorists not quite ready to commit to an EV. But if you think battery-electric vehicles are expensive you may be shocked by what the typical PHEV costs – an average of more than $60,000. Then again, there are a few surprisingly affordable one.