A federal law requires new cars to include technology that detects drunk or impaired driving, but regulators still have not cleared it. Last month, the U.S. House rejected a Republican effort to strip the law’s funding. The law is named after five members of a Michigan family who were struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2019 in Kentucky. Supporters say passive detection can stop cars from starting when a driver is impaired. Opponents warn about false positives and call it a “kill switch.” Regulators are still assessing the tech and say they plan to report to Congress soon. Some backers expect the rules won't be finalized until at least 2027.
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The Environmental Protection Agency has revoked a key scientific finding that supported U.S. regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. This decision rescinds a 2009 declaration that carbon dioxide and other gases endanger public health. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the move Thursday, calling it a major deregulatory action. Critics argue it undermines efforts to combat climate change and could lead to more pollution. Environmental groups are certain to challenge the action in court. The EPA also proposes delaying a Biden-era rule on vehicle emissions, which could impact the push for electric vehicles.
China has moved to curb a fierce price war among automakers that has caused massive losses for the industry. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation released new guidelines on Thursday to prevent manufacturers from pricing cars too cheaply in order to squeeze out rivals. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported this week that domestic passenger car sales fell 20% in January, compared to a year earlier. Analysts say a cut in tax exemptions for electric vehicles and weaker EV subsidies in several Chinese regions have dampened demand. As domestic car demand slows, Chinese carmakers are expanding their global sales, and exports are expected to grow this year.
On Tuesday, BlueOval SK hosted a job fair at its new executive office space in Elizabethtown that will serve as a recruiting center.
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Toyota is halting production for a few days at all of its automobile and components plants in North America, including its largest plant in the world in Georgetown, Ky.
In an automotive garage in downtown Louisville, students barely out of high school try to work through staged automotive issues on a fleet of Toyota vehicles.
As consumers are test driving the latest models at the Louisville Auto Show this weekend, Governor Steve Beshear will be meeting with auto industry leaders in Germany and Sweden.