Audrey LaForest

<p>Groups representing automakers and suppliers are arguing it is critical for Congress to “act as soon as possible” to restore full R&D expensing, which expired in 2021.</p>

<p>NHTSA said it received four consumer complaints from December 2022 through December 2023 alleging battery fires in 2017-18 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrids even after the vehicles had received an interim fix as part of a prior recall.</p>

<p>In public comments submitted Thursday, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation urged the Treasury to make permanent certain leeways aimed at easing the industry’s compliance with an Inflation Reduction Act provision that blocks an up-to-$7,500 consumer incentive for new EVs that contain battery materials from foreign adversaries such as China.</p>

<p>UAW President Shawn Fain delivered those remarks Monday to an applauding audience of members attending the union’s national political conference in Washington.</p>

<p>The recall covers Ford Explorers from the 2011-19 model years.</p>

<p>The much anticipated endorsement arrives at an opportune moment for Biden — who has called himself the most pro-worker and pro-union president in American history — as he prepares for a potential rematch with Donald Trump.</p>

<p>The second letter comes after nearly 4,000 dealerships in November sent a letter calling on Biden to reconsider the proposed regulations, which they argue would mandate an unrealistic shift to battery-electric vehicles in the U.S.</p>

<p>Incoming AIADA Chairman Anthony Brownlee said he wants to make sure dealers and consumers have a say when it comes to federal support for electric vehicles, tougher EPA emissions regulations and other matters.</p>

<p>Nearly 83 percent of dealers say the federal government is pushing the industry to move too fast on EVs, according to responses to the Automotive News 2024 Dealer Outlook Survey of 208 dealers and dealership managers.</p>

<p>Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient, said having more women working in auto retail is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business.</p>

<p>While some dealers have registered and used the online portal without issue, others haven’t been as lucky, citing problems with the sign-up process that prevented them from being able to apply credits at the time of sale.</p>

<p>Andrew Cornelia, CEO of Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging North America, says more EV chargers are needed to support the vehicles on the road.</p>

<p>Since the proposed rule was released in April, automakers, dealers and the UAW have pleaded with the EPA to relax requirements that they argue would effectively mandate an aggressive increase in EV sales before the supply chains, infrastructure and market are ready.</p>

<p>Hyundai Motor Group earned six of the institute’s Top Safety Pick+ awards for models including the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia Telluride and Genesis GV60, and 10 Top Safety Pick awards for models including the Hyundai Elantra and Genesis G90.</p>

<p>The U.S. has launched a regulatory process to gather information from industry stakeholders as it considers potential rules or other actions that govern the use of certain information and communications technology in vehicles from China.</p>

<p>The two probes involve Stellantis’ 2018-20 Dodge Journey crossovers and 2017-23 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans.</p>

<p>The EPA as soon this month is expected to finalize its rule on light-duty vehicle emissions for the 2027-32 model years, but the regulation could do more than just challenge the U.S. auto industry to meet stricter limits on tailpipe pollution.</p>

<p>The president largely refrained from touting his administration’s legislative achievements that are aimed at accelerating EV adoption in the U.S. and establishing a battery supply chain.</p>

<p>The eSTART — or Electronic Secure Title and Registration Transformation — Coalition, which will launch Wednesday, wants to bring awareness to legislative efforts, facilitate engagement and dispel misconceptions associated with electronic title and registration processes.</p>

<p>EPA now sees battery-electric vehicles at 30 to 56 percent of light-vehicle sales in 2030-32 model years, down from the controversial 67 percent in 2032 in its original proposal.</p>