{"id":78780,"date":"2026-02-06T15:53:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotive.einnews.com\/article\/890063935"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:53:56","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:53:56","slug":"foley-automotive-update-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/06\/foley-automotive-update-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Foley Automotive Update &#8211; February 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com\/profile-images\/og.14205_3939.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\"><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Key Legal Insights from Foley\u2019s Automotive Team<\/h2>\n<p><em>Analysis&nbsp;by Julie Dautermann, Competitive Intelligence Analyst<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Key developments<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Foley &amp; Lardner<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foley.com\/insights\/publications\/2026\/02\/doj-announces-first-ever-antitrust-whistleblower-award-is-your-compliance-program-ready\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">assessed<\/a> the compliance ramifications stemming from the <strong>U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s first-ever antitrust whistleblower award<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Elevated costs and financial distress could lead to <strong>significant supplier consolidation in 2026<\/strong>, according to a report in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autonews.com\/manufacturing\/suppliers\/an-supplier-financial-health-0129\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Automotive News<\/em><\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>U.S. 2026 new light-vehicle sales<\/strong> are projected to reach <strong>16 million to 16.2 million units<\/strong>, according to forecasts from Edmunds and GlobalData, respectively, shared at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagofed.org\/events\/2026\/ais\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">32<sup>nd<\/sup> Annual Automotive Insights Symposium<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">A number of automakers urged the <strong>U.S. Trade Representative<\/strong> to <strong>simplify compliance with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreemen<\/strong>t<strong> (USMCA)<\/strong>, while consistently maintaining large parts of the agreement, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autonews.com\/manufacturing\/an-trump-tariffs-usmca-oem-letters-0129\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">excerpted commentary<\/a> from a <a href=\"https:\/\/comments.ustr.gov\/s\/docket?docketNumber=USTR-2025-0307\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">public docket<\/a> concerning the operation of the <strong>USMCA with respect to trade in automotive goods.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Prime Minister Mark Carney <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/world\/americas\/trumps-tariff-threats-designed-to-influence-pending-usmca-talks-canada-pm-carney-says-94419bf0?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqcHUDWPx1fYdSBjilALElZRc4ZGcUzZFlzj9q9zOr0VO4phiPO0ToJu&amp;gaa_ts=697b928c&amp;gaa_sig=o492TSpjLbmjsGcGBSmQYXUXeQAm1fdVA69jjGatkwroifqb9jX3-a7XNESsQv4W8SRtX9VcY9CmAWoQqyI5cw%3D%3D\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">expects<\/a> a \u201crobust review\u201d of the <strong>USMCA<\/strong>, noting that President Trump\u2019s recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/trump-threatens-new-tariffs-on-canada-over-china-f0e0615a?mod=article_inline\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">threat<\/a> to <strong>impose 100% tariffs on Canadian goods<\/strong> likely signifies \u201cprepositioning ahead of negotiations.\u201d The president\u2019s threat followed Canada\u2019s agreement to allow tens of thousands of <strong>Chinese EVs into the Canadian market<\/strong> annually at a 6.1% tariff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">The <strong>Commerce Department<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2026\/02\/02\/2026-02049\/procedures-for-submissions-by-importers-of-medium--and-heavy-duty-vehicles-qualifying-for\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">issued a notice<\/a> outlining submission procedures for importers of <strong>medium- and heavy-duty trucks<\/strong> to qualify for preferential tariffs under the <strong>USMCA<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Three months have passed since the <strong>U.S. Supreme Court<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.com\/v3\/__https:\/click.email.nam.org\/?qs=eyJkZWtJZCI6IjFhNjM3OWQ1LWFkNzEtNGY3My05MGI5LTU1NWNhMjczMjAxNCIsImRla1ZlcnNpb24iOjEsIml2IjoiaEdTOWZsWExoL3QwTG9Cc1g1MC9GUT09IiwiY2lwaGVyVGV4dCI6ImQ4RmNEWE5QdGU3SWhHL2ppOVFTa05kSW44alFaMUZnREFOMmlvQW9RcWUwbXBoZnVBSjhDZVVQbG5ZR2g3enBLSTkxT0pGbm8wSCtqL3F6c2lGK3FHQ1RVSnhPQ1Qzb2hHUzlmbFhMaC90MExvQnNYNTAvRlE9PSIsImF1dGhUYWciOiIvby82czdJaGZxaGdrMUNjVGdrOTZBPT0ifQ*3D*3D__;JSU!!L2Ps738!ydqYpg-ALMcVYrndoETAwhQ6F8HH0OZfe54VBpm_Ra09wu-iZ8JQMifVgjPWo-yjKByMi9mjOUdQsSJ-9w%24\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">heard oral arguments<\/a> regarding the legality of the Trump administration\u2019s tariffs as imposed under the <strong>International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). <\/strong>Commentary in <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bloomberglaw.com\/international-trade\/supreme-court-again-doesnt-rule-on-tariffs-as-wait-continues\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Bloomberg Law<\/em><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/01\/28\/politics\/where-is-supreme-court-ruling-on-trump-tariffs\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><em>CNN<\/em><\/a> indicates the justices are in recess, and \u201cnext scheduled to take the bench and possibly issue opinions on February 20.\u201d While the recess could be interrupted if a decision was reached, this would be considered \u201chighly unusual.\u201d &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">In a January 29 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2026\/01\/addressing-threats-to-the-united-states-by-the-government-of-cuba\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">executive order<\/a>, President Trump threatened to impose <strong>IEEPA-based tariffs<\/strong> on imports from <strong>any nation that sells oil to Cuba<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">President Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/01\/27\/south-korea-scrambles-to-pass-us-investment-bill-after-trump-threatens-higher-tariffs.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">threatened<\/a> in a social media post to <strong>raise tariffs on South Korea to 25%<\/strong> from 15%, citing that the nation has not moved fast enough to implement a trade agreement reached last year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">In a social media post, President Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/02\/02\/trump-india-trade-deal-tariffs.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced a framework agreement<\/a> to <strong>lower tariffs on India to 18%,<\/strong> from the current rate of 25%.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">The <strong>National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/strong> announced a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2026\/01\/23\/2026-01272\/request-for-comment-on-vestigial-vehicle-safety-regulations\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">notice<\/a> for public comment on potential requirements within <strong>federal safety standards<\/strong> \u201cthat no longer serve a functional safety purpose\u201d and \u201cact as barriers to the deployment of new technologies.\u201d The comment period expires March 24, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>NHTSA<\/strong> is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/sites\/nhtsa.gov\/files\/2026-01\/letter-next-steps-resetting-HDPUV-standards-jan-2026.pdf\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">preparing to roll back<\/a> <strong>fuel economy standards <\/strong>for<strong> heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans<\/strong>. This follows a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2025\/12\/05\/2025-22014\/the-safer-affordable-fuel-efficient-safe-vehicles-rule-iii-for-model-years-2022-to-2031-passenger\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">proposed rule<\/a> issued by the agency in December 2025 to reset standards for passenger cars and light trucks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>OEMs\/SUPPLIERS<\/strong> &nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Toyota<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/autos-transportation\/toyota-retains-top-auto-crown-2025-with-record-sales-2026-01-29\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">maintained its position<\/a> as the <strong>top global automaker in 2025<\/strong>, with sales inclusive of all subsidiaries up 4.6% year-over-year to a <strong>record 11.3 million units<\/strong>. Toyota and Lexus brand vehicle sales within the U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/pressroom.toyota.com\/toyota-motor-north-america-reports-2025-u-s-sales-results\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">increased<\/a> 8% YOY in 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>GM <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/investor.gm.com\/static-files\/36170429-ef23-4ad5-97dd-6a523c3f8deb\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">reported<\/a> its<strong> 2025<\/strong> <strong>net income declined 55% YOY to $2.7 billion<\/strong>, and revenue fell 1.3% YOY to $185 billion. The automaker\u2019s 2026 projected net income ranges from $10.3 billion to $11.7 billion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Hyundai<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hyundai.com\/worldwide\/en\/newsroom\/detail\/0000001116\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">reported<\/a> its <strong>net profit fell 22% YOY in 2025<\/strong>, despite achieving a 6.3% YOY revenue increase. The automaker attributed the profit decline to the impact of U.S. import tariffs and higher sales incentives amid intensified competition. Last year Hyundai-Kia <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koreatimes.co.kr\/business\/companies\/20260118\/hyundai-kia-post-record-us-market-share-in-2025-despite-trump-tariffs#:~:text=Hyundai%20accounted%20for%206.1%20percent,at%2013.1%20percent.\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ranked fourth<\/a> in U.S. new light-vehicle sales, behind GM, Toyota, and Ford.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Detroit-based <strong>American Axle &amp; Manufacturing Holdings, Inc<\/strong>. changed its name to <strong>Dauch Corporation<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aam.com\/media\/story\/american-axle---manufacturing-holdings--inc.-to-become--dauch-corporation--and-trade-on-nyse-under-new-ticker-symbol--dch\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">effective<\/a> January 26, and began trading on the NYSE under ticker symbol \u201cDCH.\u201d&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Electrical equipment maker <strong>Eaton<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eaton.com\/us\/en-us\/company\/news-insights\/news-releases\/2026\/mobility-group-spin-off.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">expects<\/a> to complete a spin-off of its vehicle and eMobility units by March 2027, as part of a strategy to focus on higher growth and higher margin businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Nissan<\/strong> has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autonews.com\/nissan\/an-make-meeting-nissan-targets-1-million-sales-0204\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">goal<\/a> to reach 1 million vehicle sales in the U.S. by 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">The <strong>Michigan Strategic Fund<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlive.com\/news\/detroit\/2026\/01\/michigan-awards-volkswagen-4m-grant-to-keep-909-jobs-in-the-state.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">approved<\/a> a $4 million grant to <strong>Volkswagen<\/strong> to support the retention of 909 jobs, amid efforts by the automaker to consolidate operations for certain technical activities in the state. Separately, VW <a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-auto.com\/news\/volkswagen-audi-us-plant-plans\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">paused plans<\/a> for a new <strong>Audi <\/strong>factory in the U.S. due to market challenges that include the impact of tariffs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">The <strong>Canadian government<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/business\/autos\/canada-to-claim-stellantis-gm-owe-hundreds-of-millions-to-government-8eb5be76?mod=autos_news_article_pos4\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">indicated<\/a> it will take steps to <strong>recover \u201chundreds of millions of dollars\u201d<\/strong> from <strong>GM<\/strong> and <strong>Stellantis<\/strong> for reducing production in the country. Most recently, <strong>GM<\/strong> moved forward with a previously announced plan to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/world-at-work\/general-motors-shift-reduction-canada-cut-500-jobs-2026-01-29\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">eliminate the third shift<\/a> at its <strong>Oshawa Assembly plant<\/strong> in Ontario. The plant produces light- and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Stellantis <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/stellantis-return-to-office-5-days-us-staff-rto-2026-1\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">will require<\/a> all U.S. employees to be in the office five days a week by the end of March.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<p><a><strong>MARKET TRENDS AND REGULATORY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">The <strong>Environmental Protection Agency<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/newsreleases\/epa-stops-another-california-scheme-impose-its-costly-vehicle-policies-entire-country\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">determined<\/a> that a <strong>California<\/strong> regulation applying <strong>heavy-duty emissions inspection and maintenance requirements to out-of-state trucks<\/strong> is unlawful and will not count toward the state\u2019s emissions reduction targets. The <strong>California Air Resources Board (CARB)<\/strong> stated it will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/01\/27\/epa-wont-let-california-impose-emissions-inspection-on-out-of-state-trucks-00750226\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">continue enforcing<\/a> the <strong>Clean Truck Check program<\/strong>, and claimed the EPA \u201chas no authority\u201d over the initiative.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">In a brief <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law360.com\/articles\/2434152\/truck-makers-say-calif-delaying-clean-trucks-pact-fight\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recently filed<\/a> in a California federal court, a number of <strong>heavy-duty truck manufacturers<\/strong> argued that <strong>CARB<\/strong> has continued to pursue <strong>emissions rules and requirements<\/strong> that are preempted by federal law, in spite of a partial preliminary injunction.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">After 10 crashes resulted in serious injury or death attributed to \u201csubstandard and dangerous\u201d <strong>replacement air bag inflators<\/strong>, <strong>NHTSA<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/press-releases\/urgent-warning-two-more-deaths-substandard-dangerous-chinese-air-bag-inflators\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">issued<\/a> an urgent warning to <strong>used car buyers and owners<\/strong> to understand their vehicles\u2019 maintenance history. The agency indicated the<strong> air bag inflators<\/strong> are likely to be illegally imported.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Minivan sales<\/strong> rose 21% YOY in 2025 in the U.S. to 393,812 units, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/minivan-sales-surge-21-in-2025-as-millennial-dads-lead-demand-for-cars-offering-the-best-bang-for-your-buck-143022892.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">data<\/a> from Edmunds.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Chinese-made vehicles<\/strong> accounted for <a href=\"https:\/\/mexiconewsdaily.com\/business\/chinese-cars-sold-in-mexico-2025\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">nearly 20%<\/a> of total new car sales in <strong>Mexico<\/strong> in 2025. Mexico <a href=\"https:\/\/www.automotivelogistics.media\/supply-chain\/mexico-introduces-new-tariffs-on-cars-and-auto-parts-for-countries-without-a-trade-agreement\/2585186\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recently imposed<\/a> <strong>new tariffs of up to 50%<\/strong> on more than 1,400 products \u2013 including <strong>finished passenger vehicles and certain auto parts<\/strong> \u2013 imported from <strong>China<\/strong> and other <strong>nations with which it does not have a free trade agreement<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>BYD <\/strong>has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.electrive.com\/2026\/01\/26\/byd-wants-to-grow-outside-of-china\/#:~:text=In%202025%2C%20BYD%20exported%20around,4.55%20million%20were%20passenger%20cars.\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">goal<\/a> to increase vehicle sales outside of China by 24% to 1.3 million units in 2026.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Under rules <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/world\/asia\/china-ban-electric-powered-door-handles-cars-starting-2027-rcna257204\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">scheduled to take effect<\/a> in 2027, <strong>China will ban retractable door handles on vehicles<\/strong> and require both internal and external door handles that can be mechanically opened.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>New-car registrations in Europe <\/strong>increased 1.8 % YOY in 2025, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acea.auto\/pc-registrations\/new-car-registrations-1-8-in-2025-battery-electric-17-4-market-share\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">data<\/a> from the European Automobile Manufacturers\u2019 Association (ACEA). The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars dropped to 35.5%, down from 45.2% in 2024. <strong>Hybrid-electric vehicles<\/strong> accounted for 34.5% of the EU market in 2025, and <strong>battery-electric vehicles<\/strong> accounted for 17.4%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<p><strong>Autonomous Technologies and Vehicle Software<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Software complexity<\/strong> has caused certain automakers to rethink the prioritization of <strong>in-house software development <\/strong>to instead <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autonews.com\/technology\/ane-vw-bmw-stellantis-software-partners-0202\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">increase their pursuit<\/a> of software-related <strong>strategic alliances<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">The <strong>U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commerce.senate.gov\/2026\/2\/hit-the-road-mac-the-future-of-self-driving-cars\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">heard testimony this week<\/a> from auto industry executives who emphasized the need for a <strong>federal framework<\/strong> to support <strong>autonomous vehicle development and deployment.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Volkswagen subsidiary <strong>Traton<\/strong> will invest up to $25 million in <strong>PlusAI\u2019s<\/strong> SuperDrive self-driving software in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260126598745\/en\/PlusAI-and-TRATON-GROUP-Expand-Global-Partnership-to-Accelerate-Autonomous-On-Highway-Truck-Commercialization\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">expanded partnership<\/a> to accelerate commercialization of autonomous, on-highway trucking in the U.S. and Europe.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Mountain View, CA-based startup <strong>Gatik<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/gatik.ai\/news\/press-releases\/gatik-becomes-first-us-company-to-operate-fully-driverless-trucks-at-scale-for-commercial-deliveries\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced<\/a> it secured $600 million in contracted revenue through 2030 to transport goods in Level 4 driverless trucks between distribution centers and certain Fortune 50 retailers\u2019 stores. Gatik\u2019s autonomous technology is integrated in <strong>Isuzu\u2019s medium-duty platform<\/strong> and operates in parts of Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Nebraska, and Ontario.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Toronto-based autonomous trucking developer <strong>Waabi<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/01\/28\/waabi-raises-1b-and-expands-into-robotaxis-with-uber\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">raised<\/a> <strong>$750 million of Series C venture funding<\/strong> to develop the AI technology that powers self-driving trucks and robotaxis. In addition to the funding round, <strong>Uber<\/strong> committed to invest up to <strong>$250 million<\/strong> in Waabi to deploy robotaxis on the ride-hailing company\u2019s platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<p><strong>HYBRID AND Electric Vehicles<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">CEO Elon Musk announced <strong>Tesla<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/01\/28\/tesla-ending-model-s-x-production.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">will end production<\/a> of its <strong>Model S sedan <\/strong>and <strong>Model X SUV<\/strong> later this year, to prioritize AI, autonomy, and producing humanoid robots at its Fremont, CA plant.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Nine models in <em>Consumer Reports\u2019<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/cars\/best-cars-of-the-year-10-top-picks-of-2026-a1118808691\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2026 list<\/a> of the <strong>top ten best new vehicles<\/strong> are <strong>hybrids<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><strong>Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/media.toyota.ca\/en\/releases\/2026\/toyota-starts-canadian-production-of-the-all-new-6th-generation-.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">started producing<\/a> the <strong>all-hybrid 2026 RAV4<\/strong> in Ontario following a $1.1 billion investment to support the next-generation program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foley.com\/insights\/publications\/2026\/02\/foley-automotive-update-3\/\" target=\"_blank\">View source<\/a>.]<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; Annual <span class=\"match\">Automotive<\/span> Insights Symposium. A number of <span class=\"match\">automakers<\/span> urged &#8230; amid efforts by the <span class=\"match\">automaker<\/span> to consolidate operations for &#8230; to data from the European <span class=\"match\">Automobile<\/span> Manufacturers\u00e2\u0080\u0099 Association (ACEA). &#8230; complexity has caused certain <span class=\"match\">automakers<\/span> to rethink the &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78780"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78780\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}