Last updated on February 9th, 2026 at 05:00 pm
U.S. House subcommittee hears testimony on REPAIR Act
LURAH LOWERY | Repairer Driven News | 1/15/2026
Last week, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing to consider the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, a bill aimed at ensuring vehicle owners and independent repair shops have access to the diagnostic, maintenance, and repair data needed to service modern cars. Supporters, including aftermarket groups and insurers, argued that as vehicles become increasingly software-driven, restricted access to that data threatens competition, raises repair costs, and limits consumer choice, while opponents from major automakers warn it could disrupt the industry and raise safety or intellectual property concerns. The testimony highlighted deep divisions over how to balance consumer repair rights with industry safeguards as Congress weighs how to modernize motor vehicle policy.
China’s industry ministry revises EV safety rules for automakers
Investing .com | 1/21/2026
China’s industry ministry announced new rules for approving automakers and vehicles, effective in 2027, emphasizing electric vehicle safety monitoring. Manufacturers must create platforms to track the safety status of their electric vehicles, with the data used to enhance vehicle design and performance.
Canada’s Industry Minister Meets Auto Giants BYD, Chery in Beijing
CLÁUDIO AFONSO | EV | 1/18/2026
Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly met with Chinese automakers BYD and Chery during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing to finalize a trade deal. The agreement allows up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles per year at a reduced tariff of 6.1%. A new Auto Plan, expected next month, may let Chinese firms assemble vehicles in Canada under certain conditions. The deal has faced criticism from US officials but aims to boost Canada’s manufacturing and export potential.
Hyundai hires Tesla Autopilot pioneer for top driverless role
PAUL MYLES | Wards Auto | 1/16/2026
Hyundai Motor Group has hired a former Tesla Autopilot pioneer to lead its autonomous driving and software efforts, signaling a renewed push into driverless technology. The executive, who helped build Tesla’s early Autopilot vision system and later worked on autonomous platforms at Nvidia, will oversee Hyundai’s advanced vehicle and software strategy, including its global software unit, 42dot, as the automaker looks to accelerate development of next-generation driver-assist and autonomy features.
Tesla granted more time in US investigation into its self-driving tech
MATT OTT | AP News | 1/16/2026
U.S. auto safety regulators have granted Tesla a five-week extension to respond to an investigation into allegations that its “Full Self-Driving” system has violated traffic laws, including running red lights and driving into oncoming lanes, with at least 62 reported incidents across 2.9 million vehicles. Regulators say some drivers received no warning before erratic behavior, while Tesla argues it has consistently told users that FSD is only a Level 2 driver-assistance system requiring full driver attention. The probe comes as Tesla faces declining vehicle sales and increased competition, heightening pressure on the company to demonstrate progress with FSD and its long-promised autonomous ambitions.
