May 24, 2026 to May 30, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for car manufacturers, parts suppliers, car dealers, rental companies, and importers/exporters in the automotive industry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Automotive? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Manufacturing and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Automotive - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Clean Air Act Mobile Source Modernization: On June 3, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will hold a hearing titled "Rules of the Road: Examining Legislation to Modernize the Clean Air Act's Mobile Source Requirements," in Rayburn 2123.
• Advancing Environmental Protection Through Science and Technology Hearing Scheduled: The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment is scheduled to meet on June 4, 2026, in Rayburn 2318 to discuss advancements in environmental protection through science and technology.

Federal Government News

EPA Finalizes Amendments to HFC Technology Transitions Rules

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized amendments to its Technology Transitions provisions under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020. The rule partially relaxes compliance dates and global warming potential limits for numerous refrigeration and air conditioning subsectors, including supermarket systems, remote condensing units, cold storage warehouses, refrigerated laboratory equipment, and certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment. For supermarket and remote condensing units, an interim GWP limit of 1,400 applies until January 1, 2032, when stricter limits take effect. The rule also allows previously manufactured residential and light commercial AC/heat pump equipment to be installed without a set deadline, addressing concerns of stranded inventory. In addition, the temperature threshold for deep-frozen intermodal containers was raised from -50°C to -35°C, and the definition for compliance now references box temperature. The EPA cited industry petitions, supply chain considerations, building code variabilities, and national security for semiconductors, while maintaining that the GHG phasedown caps remain in force for the United States.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NHTSA Proposes Inclusion of Rear Automatic Braking with Pedestrian Avoidance in New Car Assessment Program

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a request for comments on proposed updates to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), focusing on evaluating and notifying consumers about rear automatic braking (RAB) systems capable of detecting and avoiding pedestrians. The proposal would incorporate detailed performance tests, including scenarios with adult and two-year-old pedestrian mannequins, varying reversing vehicle speeds, and different mannequin positions. Only vehicles meeting all criteria would receive RAB credit, displayed by an indicator on the NHTSA website. The notice discusses the performance results of current market RAB systems, which varied widely in effectiveness and did not achieve universal collision avoidance in moving pedestrian scenarios. Public comments are sought on test procedures, mannequin choices, speed thresholds, and pass/fail criteria.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Department Initiates Review on Antidumping Duties for Chinese Vertical Shaft Engines and Parts

The Department of Commerce issued final results of the expedited first sunset review of the antidumping duty order on large vertical shaft engines (225cc to 999cc) and parts from China. Commerce found that revoking the order would likely lead to continued or recurring dumping at margins up to 468.33%. No substantive responses were received from Chinese producers, and the order remains in effect. The review process involved domestic industry submissions and highlighted the ongoing risk of high-margin dumping if restrictions were lifted.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Order Rescinds Off-Road Vehicle Restrictions on Federal Lands

President Trump signed an executive order on May 29, 2026, rescinding Executive Orders 11644 and 11989, which restricted off-road vehicle use on federal lands. The order argues that existing statutes are sufficient to manage environmental and access concerns. Agencies are directed to revise or rescind related regulations to promote public access and balanced land management, affecting agencies with land management authority.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Proposes Exemption from HFC Leak Repair Requirements for Road and Intermodal Container TRUs

The Environmental Protection Agency published a proposed rule to exempt road and intermodal container transport refrigeration units from the HFC leak repair requirements established under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. The EPA clarifies that these units were not intended to be subject to existing leak repair rules and estimates that formalizing the exemption could avoid approximately $90 million in annual costs. The proposal requests comment on the exemption's scope and on whether similar exemptions should be extended to rail TRUs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• China takes aim at 'zero-gravity' seats in EV draft safety rules: China's new EV safety draft examines the impact of 'zero-gravity' seats and battery recycling requirements.
• US auto safety regulator opens probe into nearly 115,000 Rivian vehicles: NHTSA opens a safety probe into nearly 115,000 Rivian vehicles regarding potential steering defects.
• Exclusive | Trump Administration Wants Autos Under USMCA to Be at Least 50% Made in America: The White House seeks stricter USMCA content rules, proposing autos must be at least 50% made in America.
• Europe Is Edging Closer to a Trade War With China. Here’s Why.: Europe considers new measures targeting Chinese electric car imports amid escalating trade tensions.
• Is a Canadian Car the Answer to Trump’s Tariffs? The Bricklin Shows the Risks.: Analysis of Canadian auto exports and the complexities of tariff circumvention efforts under new U.S. trade policy.
• Stellantis' new era of alliances: Stellantis announces a strategic shift towards new alliances across mobility, electrification, and software platforms.
• Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming helps EV maker NIO in overseas drive: NIO partners with Yao Ming to boost its electric vehicle profile in international markets.
• The long road to Ferrari's first electric car: Ferrari outlines development plans and expectations for launching its debut electric model.

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