August 09, 2026 to August 15, 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

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

FMCSA Proposes English Proficiency Out-of-Service Violation

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a proposed rule to codify English Language Proficiency (ELP) as an out-of-service (OOS) violation for commercial motor vehicle drivers. Under the proposal, non-compliance with ELP requirements would result in immediate placement out of service, except where trips do not involve transportation outside U.S.-Mexico border commercial zones. The rule aligns federal regulations with current Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance OOS Criteria and responds to a petition from CVSA. FMCSA estimates this rule could result in approximately 9,000 additional OOS orders annually within the commercial zones, with projected costs of $14.4 million for carriers due to downtime. The comment period closes on October 9, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Semiannual Regulatory Agenda Published

The Environmental Protection Agency published its 2026 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, providing information about ongoing, future, and completed rulemakings. This includes reviews of rules with significant impact on small entities under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, with reviews initiated or ongoing for risk management, oil and natural gas sector standards, and formaldehyde emission standards among other areas. The agenda also reviews the Agency’s compliance with key statutes and executive orders, and offers avenues for stakeholder participation and comment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Finalizes Antidumping Duty Review on Chinese Tires

The Department of Commerce released its final results for the 2023-2024 antidumping duty administrative review concerning passenger vehicle and light truck tires imported from China. For the period August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024, Commerce determined that certain Chinese tire exporters sold merchandise at prices below normal value, with assigned dumping margins of 59.15% for Qingdao Transamerica Tire, 78.33% for Shandong Haohua, and 59.77% for Triangle Tyre. These companies retain eligibility for separate rates. The China-wide entity rate remains at 76.46%.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

ITC Determines Injury from Chinese Large Vertical Shaft Engines

The United States International Trade Commission determined that revoking countervailing and antidumping duty orders on large vertical shaft engines from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to the U.S. industry. The determination was filed on August 6, 2026, in the context of five-year (sunset) review proceedings for the relevant orders.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NHTSA Grants Petition on Toyota C-HR Tire Label Noncompliance

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted Toyota Motor North America’s petition regarding an inconsequential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110. Certain MY 2020-2021 Toyota C-HR vehicles were equipped with tire labels referencing the wrong tire size. NHTSA found that the mislabeling would not cause a safety risk because the correct tire size is present on the tire sidewall and owner's manual, and the misprinted size cannot be installed on the supplied wheels.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill to Disapprove EPA Rule on California Small Off-Road Engine Standards

H.J.Res.214 was introduced to provide for congressional disapproval of the EPA's rule granting California authority for nonroad engine pollution control standards for small off-road engines. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill to Disapprove EPA Rule on California Commercial Harbor Craft Standards

H.J.Res.213 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill proposes congressional disapproval of the EPA's rule related to California's Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations under the Clean Air Act.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Safety Starts at the Top Act of 2026

H.R.10077, named the Safety Starts at the Top Act of 2026, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill addresses governance and accountability in transportation safety.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill to Eliminate Penalties for Dyed Fuel in Taxable Use

H.R.10104 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate penalties for sale or use of dyed fuel in taxable uses. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• China’s Booming Auto Exports Test Shipping Industry: China's rising auto exports put pressure on global vehicle shipping logistics providers.
• Trio of economic forces could boost electric vehicles, WoodMac says: Wood Mackenzie forecasts that three distinct economic trends may propel further U.S. EV uptake.
• EXCLUSIVE: Emails reveal Indian carmakers' fuel contamination worries before public retreat: Indian automakers' correspondence documents recent concerns over domestic fuel contamination incidents.
• G.M.’s ‘Car Guy’ Talks Electrics, China and Nepotism: General Motors' Mark Reuss discusses EV strategy, supply chain, and company culture with the New York Times.
• Britain considers easing 2030 zero-emission vehicle targets: U.K. policymakers are reviewing the feasibility of the 2030 zero-emission vehicle targets for automakers.
• Trump waged war on EVs. Now he’s helping them out.: Former President Trump’s policies are unexpectedly supporting the electric vehicle market.
• GM inks deal to guard against future parts-supply shocks: General Motors signs a new agreement aimed at reducing risk from future automotive parts supply disruptions.
• UK announces nearly £130 million funding for zero-emission vehicle technology: The U.K. government pledges approximately £130 million for new zero-emission vehicle technology development.
• Chinese car sales are booming almost everywhere - just not at home: Overseas demand for Chinese-brand cars continues to rise while domestic sales show little growth.

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