Automakers urge Congress to pass permanent ban on Chinese vehicles

Key facts

• The Alliance for Automotive Innovation represents General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and other major automakers.
• John Bozzella heads the alliance and said Chinese imports carry surveillance risk.
• Bozella said current manufacturers have made generational investments in American communities.
• Lawmakers return next week for a quick session after the midterm congressional elections.

A group representing nearly all major automakers on Monday urged US lawmakers to pass a permanent ban on Chinese vehicles when they return next week for a quick session after the midterm congressional elections, Reuters reported from Washington.

John Bozzella, who heads the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said the measure is needed to shield the US market. "We need to protect the U.S. market from a flood of Chinese imports that carry surveillance risk and disadvantage current manufacturers that have made generational investments in American communities," he said. The alliance represents General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and other major automakers.

In September, the Senate sponsors of the bipartisan effort to ban Chinese vehicles agreed to delay an effort to fast-track the measure until November.