The Vehicles the Government Shutdown Might Delay
As Trump and Congress feud over the government shutdown, regulatory agencies that test and approve vehicles for sale in the U.S. remain closed. That could impact the launch dates for several much-anticipated vehicles slated for launch in the next several months.
Before a new (or significantly re-engineered) car can go on sale, it must be certified by the federal government. Under the Clean Air Act it is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency. The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor does the verification. But the lab is among the agencies not being funded during the month-long shutdown.
Read the article at Auto Trend.
Waymo Granted Permission by Michigan Government to Build Self-Driving Car Factory
Waymo wants to build self-driving cars right in the backyard of Detroit's Big Three. The Google spinoff, announced that it had received permission from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to build a factory in the state. However, Waymo may not build cars from scratch.
While Waymo develops its autonomous-driving systems in-house, it buys vehicles from existing automakers to use as test beds. The company's current fleet is primarily comprised of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans, and Waymo is adding the Jaguar I-Pace as well. In its announcement, Waymo indicated that the new factory will primarily focus on adding the necessary hardware and software for autonomous driving to these vehicles.
Read the article at The Drive.
Colorado Moves to Become 11th State to Adopt Zero-Emissions Vehicle Standards
Colorado moved toward becoming the 11th state last week to require automakers to sell electric cars in the state to meet a specific quota tied to overall sales.
Colorado would be the second non-coastal state to adopt the policy, after Vermont. The 10 other states that mandate zero-emission vehicle regulations include California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Colorado mandate is the first action of Gov. Jared Polis, who issued the executive order Thursday in Denver. The requirement follows Colorado's adoption of California's emissions standards last fall under former Gov. John Hickenlooper.
Read the article at Car Connection.
Disclaimer: Not a Substitute for Safe and Attentive Driving
By Art Liggio, President and CEO, Driving Dynamics
Have you ever read the technology disclaimers that come with the vehicles put into your fleet selectors?
Are drivers being advised to review this important, maybe lifesaving information? Or are they getting the keys to their fleet vehicles along with an assumption that the vehicles’ technology will keep them safe?
Imagine this scenario: One of your drivers, in a vehicle equipped with an Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) system, is following an SUV on a multi-lane highway and traveling at a reasonable speed of 35 miles per hour. Suddenly, the SUV in front moves into an adjacent lane and ahead is a stopped vehicle. What was the outcome?
Hurry: Deadline for FLEXY Award Nominations February 1st!
The Fleet Excellence Awards (or FLEXYs) are open to every fleet management professional regardless of whether or not they are current members of NAFA Fleet Management Association.
If the work of you or your team led to major accomplishments in the past year, we welcome you to submit an entry for the 2019 Fleet Excellence Awards by clicking here
Submission deadline is February 1.
