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.

Dates: 2026-01-24 to 2026-01-30

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Commerce Committee: Future of Self-Driving Cars: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold hearings on February 4, 2026, at Russell Senate Office Building 253 to examine the future of self-driving cars.

Federal Government News

Commerce Launches CVD and AD Investigations on Van-Type Trailers from Canada, China, and Mexico

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the official initiation of countervailing duty (CVD) and less-than-fair-value (AD) investigations involving imports of van-type trailers and their subassemblies from Canada, China, and Mexico. Petitions filed by the American Trailer Manufacturers Coalition allege that respective governments are providing unfair subsidies to domestic trailer manufacturers and that imports from the targeted countries are sold below fair market value. The CVD and AD proceedings will examine alleged programs, with 25 Canadian, 21 Mexican, and 52 Chinese subsidy programs cited for review. Mandatory respondents will be selected based on quantity and value questionnaires due by February 3, 2026. The scope includes finished and unfinished van-type trailers with gross vehicle weight ratings over 26,000 pounds, and related subassemblies. The U.S. International Trade Commission will issue preliminary injury determinations within 25 days of Commerce’s initiation notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

EPA Submits Renewal of Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission Standards Information Collection Request

The Environmental Protection Agency submitted its renewal request for the information collection regarding Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission Standards under EPA ICR Number 0783.66 and OMB Control Number 2060-0104. This renewal covers updated requirements for certification, defect reporting, and in-use verification, impacting light- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, alternative fuel converters, and importers. The renewal notice allows an additional 30-day public comment period, with responses due by March 2, 2026. Estimated respondent burden is approximately 509,869 hours per year across 49 respondents, with costs projected at $80.4 million annually. The agency notes a reduction in fuel economy reporting burden offset by increased requirements for Tier 3 emissions reporting.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FMCSA Reviews Applications for Hearing Exemption for Commercial Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) received exemption applications from 37 individuals seeking waivers from federal hearing requirements for interstate commercial motor vehicle operation. These applicants, who are deaf or hard of hearing, are being considered under procedures established in 2013. FMCSA is accepting public comment until February 27, 2026 on these exemption requests, with agency evaluation including driving records as well as relevant scientific evidence. The agency's process is designed to assess whether waivers can achieve safety levels equivalent to the existing regulatory standards.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FMCSA Opens Comment Period on Minimum Age Qualification Exemption for SDAP Program Motor Carriers

FMCSA issued a notice seeking public comment on an exemption application from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) to allow former Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) program participants to continue onboarding and training drivers aged 18 to 20 for five years post-pilot. The SDAP program, which closed in November 2025, provided regulatory relief enabling younger drivers in interstate operations. ATA points to FMCSA quarterly safety data reflecting positive safety outcomes and asserts that the exemption would create minimal administrative burden. Comments on the request are due by February 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Approves Pennsylvania SIP Revision for Motor Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance Program

EPA approved a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision from Pennsylvania, certifying that its existing Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program for Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City addresses requirements for a Basic I/M program required in newly classified Moderate ozone nonattainment areas. The SIP approval includes performance modeling, confirms compliance with federal benchmark standards, and is set to become effective March 2, 2026. This action follows Pennsylvania’s September 2023 submission to EPA and supports regulatory alignment with Clean Air Act Section 182(b)(4). EPA notes future enhancements will be addressed in separate revisions for any subsequent Serious nonattainment classification.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Congress advances transportation funding bill: Congressional appropriators move forward with FY2026 transportation and infrastructure budget.
• Limits on city, state authority over AVs proposed in new federal bill: Legislation proposes curbing local government authority over autonomous vehicle regulation.
• Sustainable & EV Supply Chain News | Today's Latest Stories: Coverage includes recent developments in electric vehicle supply chains and sustainability.
• U.S. Automakers’ Foreign Troubles Now Extend to Canada: U.S. automakers encounter new regulatory and trade challenges in Canadian cross-border operations.
• Opinion | Orbánomics Needs European Union Subsidies: Hungary’s electric vehicle sector depends heavily on continued EU subsidy support.
• US lawmaker scrutinizes Ford battery partnership with Chinese company CATL: Legislative review targets Ford's battery joint venture with CATL amid concerns over technology transfers.
• ‘They were promised prices were going to go down’: Why car tariff pitch may not help Trump: Report questions political impact of tariff policy amid ongoing high vehicle prices.
• California accelerates work on EV rules, tax credits that Trump opposes, state's top air regulator says: California’s regulators accelerate new EV standards and state incentives.

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