Key facts
- Automakers may halt new and used vehicle sales in California starting July 1.
- The potential halt is due to new vehicle technology rules aimed at protecting domestic violence survivors.
- The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major car companies, issued the warning.
- Automakers cite impossibility of complying with certain elements of the law this year.
- The new law requires automakers to process restraining orders and disable location access within specific timeframes.
Major automakers have warned that they may be forced to halt sales of both new and used vehicles in California beginning July 1. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents companies including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, stated that compliance with certain elements of a new vehicle technology law is impossible this year. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to protect domestic violence survivors by preventing perpetrators from tracking victims through vehicle features.
The legislation mandates that automakers establish a process for drivers to submit restraining orders and request the termination of another driver’s remote access within two business days. It also requires manufacturers to allow drivers to easily disable location access from within the vehicle. While automakers are implementing the required protections, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation has raised concerns about the technical implementation challenges, suggesting a substantial risk of sales suspension if the state does not delay the implementation of these rules.