It’s been several months since we surveyed top automotive executives and insiders on the major legal issues facing the industry for our 2023 Automotive Trends Report.

As the automotive world continues to evolve and navigate a shifting legal landscape, we look at some of the major themes driving it forward… and the ones that might be in the rearview mirror.

What’s next in the dynamic world of autonomous vehicles? Clay Cossé and Mark Malven dive in.

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Stricter safety standard requirements

Announced in May, a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the NHTSA aims to “significantly reduce fatalities and injuries” in all light cars and pickups. The proposal centers around stricter requirements for Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), including testing at higher speeds, more scenarios involving pedestrians, and more requirements while driving at night. While most new vehicles are already equipped with AEB, this new rule raises the bar for safety standards considerably. 

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The industry-wide focus on expanding operations

While only 1 in 3 respondents to our 2023 Automotive Trends Report believed the autonomous vehicle space was due for a rapid expansion, even that number is proving to be a bit too high. The lack of any recent action from automakers or technology firms is likely a sign that “scaling up” has become less of a priority, as many industry players may be changing—or in some cases, delaying—their rollouts due to less competition.