Lapatilla
The US government announced this Tuesday the ban on the sale in the United States of connected vehicles that integrate Chinese or Russian technology, both components and software, considering them a risk to national security.
The Department of Commerce launched a public investigation into this matter at the end of September, which has just concluded with the publication of new rules that aim to “protect the connected vehicle supply chain from external threats.”
The ban will be progressive and will begin in 2027 for software and in 2029 for equipment, the department said.
Currently, no Chinese connected cars are sold in the United States, but BYD sells buses in California that will not be included in the ban.
Some Western manufacturers such as Volvo, a Swedish group controlled by China’s Geely, as well as Polestar, Buick (GM) and Lincoln (a Ford subsidiary), sell vehicles of Chinese origin in the US market.
Tesla produces electric vehicles for export in China.
“Cars are no longer simply steel on wheels, they are computers. They have cameras, microphones, GPS devices and other technologies connected to the internet,” justified the outgoing Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo.
“With this decision, the Department of Commerce establishes the necessary rules to protect the private lives of Americans and national security, by keeping away our adversaries and their ability to manipulate these technologies to access sensitive information,” he added.
The new rules require automakers not to use any equipment or software from suppliers “that have a sufficient link with China or Russia.”
The scope of the measure extends to private vehicles. The Commerce Department estimates that the supply chain for buses and trucks is more complex.
“Specific rules will be specified in the near future” for these vehicles, the statement highlighted.
– The future of the industry –
White House National Security Advisor Lael Brainaard said that “China is trying to dominate the future of the auto industry,” but connected vehicles containing software and hardware tied to outside powers open the door to data misuse. sensitive or interfering.
Electronics are increasingly present in modern vehicles and most are connected to the internet through a navigation system.
Driver assistance and autonomous driving programs reinforce the risk of unwanted external intervention in the control of a car in circulation.
In mid-September, Washington had announced that electric cars imported from China would have 100% tariffs starting September 27.
With information from AFP
