Automakers Worried About High Prices Under Tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump earlier this week threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. The move is meant to force the countries to stop the flow of migrants and drugs across America’s borders. He also threatened to hike tariffs on all Chinese products by 10%.
The automotive industry has reacted with alarm to the plan, which could dramatically increase the prices of many cars and trucks.
Economist Patrick Anderson, who studies the car market, told The New York Times the move would be “a two-alarm fire for the auto industry.” He added, “There is probably not a single assembly plant in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas that would not immediately be affected by a 25% tariff.”
Navigating Fleet Sustainability, Compliance and Regulations
Welcome to Let’s Speak Fleet, where Wheels fleet management experts delve into the latest trends and technologies transforming fleet management.
In this episode, host Carlos Oropeza from Wheels sits down with Sara Sweeney, Director of Product Management, to explore pressing issues around fleet sustainability, compliance, and emerging regulations. Sara shares insights on the new SEC climate disclosure rule, its impact on fleet operations, and the steps needed to remain compliant with emission standards like the Advanced Clean Fleets rule.
US Rejects Bid to Rethink New Automobile Automatic Emergency Braking Rules
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Monday it will not reconsider a landmark rule finalized in April requiring nearly all new cars and trucks by 2029 to have advanced automatic emergency braking systems.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation had said the requirement that all cars and trucks must be able to stop and avoid striking vehicles in front of them at up to 62 miles per hour (100 kph) is "practically impossible with available technology" and had asked the agency to reconsider it.
The new safety rule is one of the most far-reaching U.S. auto safety regulations in recent years. NHTSA said in April the rule will save at least 360 lives annually and prevent at least 24,000 injuries as traffic deaths spiked after the COVID-19 pandemic.
EPA Report Shows US Fuel Economy Hits Record High and CO2 Emissions Reach a Record Low
Today, Nov. 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its 50th annual Automotive Trends Report, demonstrating that model year 2023 vehicle fuel economy reached a record high while greenhouse gas emissions dropped to record low levels.
The report also shows that all 14 large automotive manufacturers are in compliance with EPA’s light-duty GHG program requirements through the MY 2023 reporting period. Today, the new MY 2023 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on the road have led to 11% lower CO2 emissions.
“This report provides a critical data-driven affirmation that strong, technology-neutral standards can underpin environmental progress while saving drivers money at the pump,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Manufacturers continue to innovate and are bringing technologies to market which will directly improve air quality, better protecting people’s health and saving lives.”
