House Committee Advances Amended REPAIR Act as Part of Vehicle Modernization Package
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has approved an amended version of the REPAIR Act as part of the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7389), which establishes federal law based on existing right-to-repair agreements between automakers and independent repair organizations. The bill has a more limited scope than originally proposed, reports CBT News. Specifically, Section 202 of H.R. 7389 implements important provisions from the 2014 national memorandum of understanding (MOU) that applies to light-duty vehicles weighing less than 14,000 pounds. Additionally, it makes certain parts of a separate 2015 MOU regarding heavy-duty vehicles enforceable under federal law. Both agreements regulate how automakers share repair and diagnostic information with independent repair facilities. The 2014 MOU established a right-to-repair framework for Massachusetts’ automotive industry. Under this agreement, participating automakers are required to provide independent repair shops with the same diagnostic and repair information that franchised dealerships receive, utilizing standardized, non-proprietary methods to access vehicle repair and diagnostic data. Section 203 of the legislation makes both agreements legally binding and empowers the FTC to impose civil penalties for violations. Committee members stripped broader provisions on telematics and direct wireless access to vehicle data from the bill. Click here for the full story.
Canada to ‘Remain a Country That Builds Cars’ Despite U.S. Pressure, Says Ottawa’s Chief U.S. Trade Negotiator
Ottawa’s chief trade negotiator to the United States told auto sector leaders June 9 that Canada will “remain a country that builds cars,” despite sustained U.S. trade pressure and the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. According to Automotive News,the auto sector is a “cornerstone” of the Canadian economy that underpins its wider industrial base, Janice Charette said at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association annual summit in Vaughan, Ont.In deepening trade talks with Washington, Canada’s negotiating team, she said, is primarily focused on reducing, if not eliminating, U.S. tariffs applied through Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The levies, in place for more than a year, apply 25-per-cent duties to Canadian vehicle exports to the United States, increasing costs and detracting from the competitiveness of Canada’s auto sector, Charette said. “We’re trying as much as possible to have the lowest rate of tariff on the smallest basket of goods, while maintaining the maximum market access,” Charette said. Canada has been relatively tight-lipped about its trade priorities in the lead up to the six-year review of the USMCA, set to take place July 1. Click here for the full story.
Mexico’s Gripe with US Trade Pact: South Korea Has Better Deal
As the U.S. and Mexico remain locked in trade talks, Mexican automakers have a complaint with the current agreement: They’re paying some higher tariff rates than competitors in South Korea and Japan. As part of discussions to review the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, Mexican government officials have shown evidence that the average tariff on Mexican auto exports is almost 19 percent, higher than the 15 percent levies on some vehicles imported from South Korea or Japan, according to a document seen by Bloomberg News. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and his staff have told their Mexican counterparts that they understand that Mexican cars should be in a better position than those from other countries and that they’re exploring alternatives, the people said. They haven’t necessarily agreed with the Mexican negotiators’ data, one person said. Greer told Fox Business that he and his team have been working on rules of origin protocols to make sure that goods going back and forth between the two nations “are actually made in the United States and/or Mexico, and it’s not just made with a bunch of stuff from China or Vietnam.” Click here for the full story.
Industry Pushes Back on Proposed Replacement Tire Efficiency Rule
A proposed state rule setting efficiency standards for replacement tires sold in California is getting pushback from the tire industry. The California Energy Commission (CEC) will hold a virtual hearing June 10 to gather comments on its plan to enforce rolling-resistance rules for passenger and light truck tires.The state says it wants to ensure that replacement tires are, at a minimum, as energy efficient as the original-equipment (OE) tires carmakers use to hit federal fuel efficiency marks. California says the rule would save its drivers almost $1 billion a year, cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce gasoline and electricity consumption. The measure is supported by consumer-advocacy, environmental and health groups. Opponents of the rule, including tire makers, auto service groups and trade organizations, said the state’s math doesn’t add up, reports Automotive News. Instead of saving consumers money, the rule would force them to spend more upfront to buy less-durable tires with no guarantee of fuel savings, and it would burden dealers with more regulations, opponents argue. While the European Union, Brazil, China, South Korea and Japan have some form of tire-efficiency ratings or labels, the U.S. and Canada don’t have nationwide standards. Click here for the full story.
Toyota’s Chairman Is Still Fighting for Gas Engines in an Electric World
As the global automotive industry rushes headlong into a future electrified by batteries, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda is standing firm on a refreshingly different path. While many rival automakers have pledged to transition to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) within the next decade, Toyota remains fiercely committed to a multi-pathway approach, while also polishing its EV game. For Americans, this means the brand will continue to offer a diverse lineup of gas-powered engines, traditional hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel-cell-electric, and battery-electric models. Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s current chairman, candidly expressed his concerns regarding the industry’s singular focus on electric vehicles. Toyoda said unequivocally that he feared this industry-wide embrace of BEVs, and unlike executives even within Toyota’s walls, he was not ready to write off internal combustion engines. In recent years, Akio Toyoda has emerged as one of the world’s most prominent advocates for traditional gas-powered cars, reports Autoblog. He noted, recently during an interview, that he feels “very alone” in his desire to preserve engines, stating his deep appreciation for the sound, the feel, and the smells of traditional combustion-powered vehicles. Toyoda also emphasized the importance of protecting thousands of global suppliers and technicians tied to traditional engine production. Click here for the full story.
Around the Web
Fixed Ops Director Flexes Lifetime Warranty, Need for Speed Retention Success [CDG]
Mazda Moves Closer To A Car That Captures CO2 As You Drive [Autoblog]
Honda Prepping ‘Futuristic’ Accord Refresh and a More Rugged Passport [Car and Driver]
Porsche’s Color Wizards Made Paint That Looks Just Like Jeans Thanks to Toy Story [The Drive]