September 20, 2026 to September 26, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

White House Considers Diesel Export Ban as Prices Rise

The White House is developing a plan for a 90-day diesel export ban, according to recent news reports. The plan addresses ongoing price increases in domestic diesel markets and could affect US automotive supply chains dependent on fuel availability. Industry stakeholders, including oil and gas trade associations, are actively engaged with policymakers in anticipation of restriction details. If implemented, the ban would limit US diesel exports to key trading partners, potentially influencing global energy markets. Statements from administration officials note the urgency to address price pressure, with formal policy rollout expected in the coming weeks, pending internal review and stakeholder feedback.

Sources: www.wsj.com

Commerce Department Issues Final Determination on Vertical Shaft Engines Imported from China

The US Department of Commerce has issued a final finding that imports of Chongqing Zongshen General Power Machine Co., Ltd.'s vertical shaft engine models 5C65M0 and BC70M0 from China circumvent existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering small vertical shaft engines (99cc–225cc). Effective September 24, 2026, Customs will continue to suspend liquidation and require cash deposits retroactive to July 11, 2025, for affected entries. The enforcement action targets later-developed merchandise and incorporates both preliminary and final analyses, resulting in no changes from the original determination. Additional details are accessible via the Enforcement and Compliance's centralized system (ACCESS), including issues and decision memoranda.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NHTSA Denies Petition for Defect Investigation into 2006 Nissan Frontier Vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied a defect petition (DP26-003) submitted on February 5, 2026, regarding alleged fuel system leaks and engine stalling in MY 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation reviewed consumer complaints, historic recall records, and technical information, concluding that the reported issues do not represent an actionable safety defect across the fleet but rather reflect age-related wear and tear. The cited recall campaigns (07V435, 10V075, and 10V517) were found non-applicable to the subject vehicle generation. NHTSA does not intend to pursue additional investigation, and technical details are available via Docket No. NHTSA-2026-2080.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Foreign-Trade Zone 57 Receives Notification of Proposed Production Activity

AUMOVIO Systems, Inc. submitted a notice to the Commerce Department’s Foreign-Trade Zones Board proposing new production activities at its Morganton, North Carolina facility within FTZ 57. The notification covers electronic braking, suspension, hydraulic, and pneumatic automotive component manufacturing utilizing foreign-status materials subject to duty rates ranging from duty-free to 8.5%. Certain components may be subject to section 232 or 301 import duties and must be admitted in privileged foreign status under relevant CFR provisions. Public comments on the proposal are invited until November 3, 2026, with more information available via the FTZ’s board website and its Online FTZ Information System.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tire Orders Subject to USITC Full Five-Year Reviews

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has determined it will conduct full five-year reviews regarding countervailing and antidumping duties on passenger vehicle and light truck tires imported from Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The review aims to determine whether revocation of orders would likely lead to continued or recurring material injury. Adequate responses were submitted by interested parties from all countries but Taiwan, which was included in the review for administrative purposes. The review schedule will be published, and further information is available through the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS).

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Exclusive | Behind the Oil-and-Gas Industry’s Blitz to Try to Defeat a Diesel Export Ban: Industry groups mobilize to counter White House plans for restricting diesel exports.
• White House Considers Ban on Diesel Exports as Prices Keep Rising: Administration prepares an export ban to respond to rising diesel prices.
• U.S. Considers Diesel-Export Restrictions, Not a Ban, Energy Secretary Says: Energy Secretary discusses possible export restrictions rather than a full ban.
• ‘Dammit, something has to happen’: White House preparing plan for 90-day diesel exports ban: White House prepares a temporary 90-day diesel export ban as domestic prices surge.
• Trump’s diesel threat risks burning U.S. credibility: Diesel export ban raises concerns about US reliability as a fuel supplier.
• Opinion | The Diesel Export Ban Folly: Editorial questions effectiveness of the diesel export ban proposal.
• COMMENTARY: Trump's diesel export dilemma — Good politics, bad economics: Commentary evaluates the economic risks and political motivations behind the ban.
• South Africa races to keep auto exports competitive in EV era: South Africa develops new strategies to maintain its automotive export competitiveness amid global EV transitions.
• The quiet engine of smart mobility powers more than just vehicles: Smart mobility technologies drive innovation across transportation and city infrastructure.

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