Dec. 20, 2018
Court Questions Law That Underpins Trump’s Trade Policy
A tribunal of trade-focused judges raised constitutional questions over President Trump’s expansive regulation of trade, focusing on a national security law the president has used to impose tariffs on imported goods. The Wall Street Journal reports that judges at the U.S. Court of International Trade, presiding over a suit against the Trump administration brought by steel importers and foreign producers, quizzed administration lawyers on whether Congress has improperly delegated too much of its constitutional power to the president. The lawsuit targets Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, in which Congress delegated the president some of the authority to set tariffs. “It seems Congress has given away an awful lot,” said Judge Claire Kelly. “Maybe it shouldn’t be able to do that.” Mr. Trump has used Section 232 to impose tariffs on key industries in the name of national security. It was the rationale behind global tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum products entering the U.S. earlier in the year. Beyond the tariffs on metals, the president has threatened to also affix tariffs on auto imports under the same national security rationale. For the full story, click here.
Japanese and Korean Cars Dominate IIHS Safety Picks — Double Last Year
Double the amount of cars from last year are IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recipients. The number went from 15 for 2018 up to 30 for 2019 model year vehicles. This huge jump is even more significant, because the IIHS made its testing requirements harder to meet. There were 17 more models that just missed the mark for the top award because their headlights didn't get the best rating of "good" available. You can check out the full report with all the specific cars on the IIHS website. The IIHS qualified 70 percent of the vehicles receiving the Top Safety Pick+ award as cars. Subaru took home more top honors than any other manufacturer with seven. The Forester missed the "Plus" category due to its headlights, but it still qualified for a Top Safety Pick award. AutoBlog also notes the almost complete absence of American vehicles on both lists. The only one to make it is the Chrysler Pacifica. Nearly every other vehicle on the list is either Japanese or Korean. Hyundai had the most vehicles total if you tally from both the Pick and Pick+ lists. For the full story click here.
BMW, Daimler Are Said to Mull Cooperation on Key Components
Daimler AG and BMW AG are considering joining forces on making key automotive components, a move that would tie the traditional luxury-car rivals more closely than ever before and reflect the fundamental changes sweeping the industry. According to Bloomberg, the German manufacturers are exploring options such as sharing vehicle platforms, batteries, and autonomous-car technology. Collaboration would be restricted to technology that’s not brand-specific, but deliberations are in their early stages and the timing of any decisions are unclear. Daimler and BMW declined to comment. Under pressure to invest in self-driving, electric cars, automakers are increasingly reaching out to competitors in an effort to cut costs. Volkswagen AG is in negotiations with Ford Motor Co. to cooperate on vans and potentially autonomous vehicles. Partnerships are also a way to become more agile in the race to dominate digital services such as ride hailing to counter cash-rich technology giants like Alphabet Inc. For more on the cooperation between BMW and Daimler, click here.
Toyota vs. Lexus: Worth the Upgrade?
Toyota and Lexus owners are quite loyal to their respective brands. As the former is the parent company of the latter, many lifelong Toyota owners look at Lexus as the aspirational brand to move up to after that promotion or bonus. But, asks U.S. News & World Report, is it worth the extra coin? More than a few Toyota and Lexus vehicles ride on shared platforms, use similar drivetrains, and offer similar driver assistance features. But Lexus has gone to great lengths to differentiate its vehicle offerings by giving them upscale cabins, a unique infotainment system, and, in some cases, more potent available powertrains. So is that worth paying the premium for Lexus? You're paying for more than just a badge, although Toyota vehicles have become quite competent. The build quality, cabin quality, and drivability make this a tougher choice than you might expect. Click here for a slideshow to see if U.S. News & World Report believes upgrading to Lexus is worth it.
U.S. Congress Will Not Pass Self-Driving Car Bill in 2018
The U.S. Congress will not vote on a bill to speed the introduction of self-driving cars before it adjourns for the year, a blow to companies like General Motors Co and Alphabet Inc's Waymo unit, key senators said on Wednesday. Reuters reports that Congress will also not take up a proposal pushed by GM and Tesla Inc to extend or expand a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles. To win passage in the final days, the measures had to be attached to a bill introduced Wednesday to fund government operations, but they were not. Republican Senator John Thune, who chairs the Commerce Committee, said it is a "problem" if Congress does not act in 2019. "The technology is going to keep going," Thune said. "We'll start this up again." Peters warned that the United States could get surpassed on self driving vehicles by China, South Korea and others who "are betting big on the technology and they are developing the regulatory framework to accommodate it." For the full story, click here.
Around the Web
Cars of The Simpsons – 30 Years of Vehicular Mayhem [TTAC]
Suzuki Jimny Gets Confused by American Guardrails [AutoBlog]
Here's What Driving Through Elon Musk's Boring Company Tunnel Looks Like [Jalopnik]
