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.

DANA NUCCITELLI | Yale Climate Connections | 12/9/2025

The global EV market is accelerating while U.S. sales have stalled at around 10% since 2023, even as China and Europe continue to surge ahead. China now sells more hybrid and electric cars than gas-powered ones, and global EV sales are expected to reach 50% by the early 2030s. Despite earlier federal incentives, recent policy changes have slowed U.S. momentum, though upcoming lower-cost EV models may help.

Overall, EV adoption is projected to quadruple worldwide by 2030, with China firmly positioned to lead the transition and its associated economic and environmental benefits. 

Tesla Launches New Dashcam Tool for Viewing Vehicle Telemetry Data

KARAN SINGH | Not a Tesla App | 12/9/2025

Tesla has released an official “Dashcam Tool” in its 2025 Holiday Update that gives owners the ability to view full telemetry data embedded in dashcam videos. Instead of just seeing what the cameras captured, owners can now load clips into a simple web-based viewer that shows frame-by-frame data such as vehicle speed, steering angle, brake use, accelerator position, GPS coordinates, and autopilot (or FSD) status.

This effectively turns Tesla dashcam clips into a black-box recorder, making it far easier for owners to analyze what happened in a crash or near-miss with hard data rather than relying on visual estimation alone. And because the tool runs locally in a browser (no cloud upload required), all sensitive data remains on the owner’s computer, preserving privacy.

Amazon robotaxi service Zoox to start charging for rides in 2026, with ‘laser focus’ on transporting people, not deliveries, says cofounder

AMANDA GERUT | Fortune | 12/8/2025

Amazon’s robotaxi company, Zoox, plans to begin charging for rides in Las Vegas in early 2026 and in the San Francisco Bay Area next year, pending regulatory approvals. CEO Jesse Levinson highlighted the focus on transporting people rather than packages, citing the significant challenges involved. Zoox vehicles are designed specifically for autonomy and prioritize passenger comfort. Though revenues won’t be substantial for a few years, Levinson believes the opportunity for growth is considerable.

A new way to charge

Land Line Media | 12/8/2025

A stretch of highway in Indiana has become the first in the U.S. to wirelessly charge heavy-duty electric trucks while they drive, a major breakthrough for commercial EV transport. The roadway, part of U.S. Highway 52/231, uses a patent-pending system developed by Purdue University and implemented by Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and was successfully tested with a truck from Cummins. Proponents say this wireless-charging highway could ease the cost and logistical burdens of charging commercial electric fleets, potentially removing the need for long stops or heavy onboard batteries.

Tesla Introduces Early Eyes-Off Feature;

Allows to Text and Drive

KARAN SINGH | Not a Tesla App | 12/5/2025

Tesla’s newest FSD update now allows limited texting while driving, easing its driver-monitoring requirements and permitting short phone interactions based on traffic conditions. But Tesla accepts no liability for crashes or misuse, placing full legal responsibility on the driver—unlike certified Level 3 systems such as Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot, which have defined safety and liability frameworks. Although Tesla may add indicators to signal when driver attention is required, no such protections currently exist. Drivers are urged to stay fully alert, as FSD still does not outperform human drivers and distracted use could lead to significant safety and legal consequences.

SHRUTI SINHA | Telematics Wire | 11/19/2025

Hyundai Motor Group has launched a dedicated cybersecurity command center to monitor and respond to cyber‑threats across its connected‑vehicle ecosystem. The unit will identify vulnerabilities, oversee real‑time incident response, and streamline governance across its global affiliates. The move comes amid a massive increase in the company’s security investments: this year’s spend on information‑security initiatives has climbed by nearly 170% compared to 2022, and the dedicated personnel have grown to over 260.

With vehicles becoming more software‑defined and connected, Hyundai positions this command center as foundational, aiming to protect everything from over‑the‑air updates and data flows to perimeter safety in vehicles themselves.

Tesla obtains permit for its ‘Robotaxi’ with a safety driver in Arizona

FRED LAMBERT | Electrek | 11/19/2025

Tesla has obtained a Transportation Network Company (TNC) permit in Arizona, allowing it to operate a paid ride‑hailing service statewide under its robotaxi branding. However, the permit does not authorize fully driver‑less vehicles; all operations must include a human driver or safety monitor for now. Analysts say the strong demand is driven by better affordability and mature technology: many used EVs are available in the mid‑$20,000 range and offer advanced features and lower running costs compared to similarly priced used gas cars.

Tesla To Phase Out Chinese Made Parts For US Cars Within Two Years

STEVE HANLEY | Clean Technica | 11/18/2025

Tesla is directing its suppliers to phase out Chinese‑sourced components for cars built at its U.S. factories, with plans to complete the shift within the next year or two. According to reports, the company has already begun replacing certain parts and aims ultimately to source components outside China. This shift reflects growing geopolitical and trade‑risk pressures, especially U.S. tariffs and supply‑chain disruptions, and represents a major recalibration of Tesla’s North American sourcing strategy.

How Tesla’s Technology Inspired EV Innovation at Ford

CHARLIE KING | EV Magazine | 11/16/2025

Ford CEO Jim Farley says that a close inspection of rival EVs, particularly those from Tesla, Inc. and leading Chinese manufacturers, served as a shock to Ford’s engineering approach. Farley admitted that dissecting a Tesla Model 3 and Chinese electric vehicles revealed “shocking” gaps in Ford’s own design, including longer wiring looms and heavier systems, driving a major strategic shift.

Farley said this realization accelerated the creation of Ford’s dedicated EV division, Model E, and underscored the need to innovate faster, streamline vehicle architecture, and embrace a global EV mindset. “Take on the hardest problems as fast as you can and sometimes do it in public because you’ll solve them quicker that way,” stated Farley.

Tesla releases detailed safety report after Waymo co-CEO called for more data

SEAN O’KANE | Tech Crunch | 11/14/2025

Tesla has released its most detailed safety report to date for its Full Self‑Driving (Supervised) (FSD) software, following public calls for greater transparency from Waymo’s co‑CEO, Tekedra Mawakana. According to the data, in North America FSD‑users drive roughly 5 million miles between major collisions (versus the national average of ~699,000 miles) and about 1.5 million miles between minor collisions (versus ~229,000 miles) based on Tesla’s calculations.

The report also clarifies how Tesla defines “major” and “minor” collisions and discloses that the data will be updated quarterly, marking a shift toward greater methodological clarity and accountability in how the company presents its driver‑assistance performance.

A new Electric Vehicle Intelligence Report shows Tesla has plummeted to become America’s least-trusted automotive brand, ranking below all major competitors in consumer confidence, particularly around safety and corporate integrity. The survey placed Tesla dead last in “trust integrity” metrics, signaling widespread skepticism about the company’s reliability and transparency.

This erosion of public faith stems largely from mounting safety concerns surrounding Tesla’s autonomous driving technology, including a series of high-profile accidents involving Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. The timing couldn’t be worse for Tesla, which is simultaneously pushing forward with its robotaxi pilot program in Austin while facing intensified regulatory oversight and an increasingly wary consumer base that questions both its safety claims and business practices.

CA DMV claims Tesla misled drivers on Autopilot capabilities; seeks to suspend business for 30 days (Suzanne Phan – July 21, 2025)

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has launched a lawsuit demanding Tesla halt all vehicle sales and manufacturing in the state for 30 days, accusing the company of deceptively marketing “Full Self-Driving” technology that remains merely Level 2 driver assistance requiring constant human oversight. DMV officials contend the autonomous system “is not ready for being simply a driver-assist system,” arguing Tesla’s branding has created dangerous misconceptions about the technology’s actual capabilities.

The legal action cites fatal consequences, including the 2018 death of Apple engineer Walter Huang during Autopilot operation and a devastating eight-car pileup on the Bay Bridge in 2022 allegedly caused by Teslas in “full self-driving” mode. UC Berkeley expert Scott Moura reinforces that Tesla’s FSD falls far short of true Level 5 autonomy, supporting critics who contend the misleading terminology has fostered deadly overconfidence among drivers who believed they could rely on technology that isn’t nearly as advanced as advertised.

Understanding Level 4 Autonomous Driving Systems, from Currently Available to Upcoming (Mircea Panait – July 20, 2025)

Before aiming for Level 5 autonomous driving, mastering Level 4 is a crucial step. Honda was among the first automakers to lease cars with Level 3 capabilities, like the Legend Hybrid EX, but that model has been discontinued, and Honda appears to have paused progress on their SENSING Elite Traffic Jam Pilot system. Meanwhile, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are moving forward with Level 3 luxury sedans, with Mercedes upgrading its DRIVE PILOT system to Level 4 in China for deployment by the end of the decade.

Although no Level 4 vehicles are available for retail yet, they do exist, mostly in China, where regulations are more permissive. Companies like GM’s Cruise, Waymo, Tesla, and Baidu are leading the way in developing and testing Level 4 and near-Level 4 systems. Cruise had early ambitions for Level 4 robotaxis but faced setbacks, while Waymo continues expanding its autonomous fleet with advanced hardware. Tesla is operating Level 4-like robotaxis in Austin but hasn’t officially received permits yet. Other players like Navya, Baidu Apollo, WeRide, Nuro, and VW’s MOIA are also making strides in autonomous transport, with several promising systems and upcoming deployments around the world. The race toward full autonomy is accelerating, with China leading some regions due to favorable regulations, and major automakers focusing on the critical transition from Level 3 to Level 4.

A Huge New Lab in Sweden Is Testing the 6G-Powered Future of Connected Cars and Drones (Oscar Collins – July 18, 2025)

AstaZero has launched an advanced proving ground for connected vehicles. This facility will test automated transport systems to ensure safety and confidence as the industry moves towards a 6G-powered future. It features multiple 5G networks for real-time communication between vehicles and emergency services.

The facility allows testing of various real-world scenarios, using AI and drones for simulations. AstaZero aims to enhance vehicle communication and decision-making, achieving a high reliability rate crucial for critical situations. It caters to all brands, supporting fair testing as new vehicle standards emerge.

Uber inks six-year robotaxi deal with Lucid, invests $300 million in EV company (Samantha Subin – July 17, 2025)

Uber announced a partnership to deploy over 20,000 robotaxis in the next six years, responding to rising demand for driverless cars. The collaboration is with Lucid, the electric vehicle maker, and Nuro, an autonomous vehicle startup. Uber will invest $300 million in Lucid, while Nuro will create the self-driving technology. They plan to launch the robotaxis in a major U. S. urban area next year. Testing of the first prototype is underway in Las Vegas, and the program aims for commercial viability and global scalability.

Trump’s Auto Safety Pick Promises Rapid Self-Driving Deployment (Keith Laing – July 16, 2025)

President Donald Trump’s nominee for NHTSA administrator, Jonathan Morrison, has pledged to prioritize safety while making it easier for automakers to deploy self-driving cars. During a Senate hearing, Morrison said the agency should create proactive, science-based regulations that go beyond voluntary guidelines, which currently limit test vehicles to 2,500 and restrict safety features.

Morrison emphasized the need for federal leadership to build consumer trust in autonomous vehicles and avoid undue costs that could hinder innovation. If confirmed, he may lead investigations into Tesla’s driver assistance technologies and address nearly 73 open safety probes, including eight involving Tesla. Critics fear Morrison’s past at NHTSA might lead to fewer safety standards, but automakers and industry groups welcome his experience. The outcome depends on Trump’s influence, with no official comment from Tesla or the White House.