Why it matters

The auto industry’s main lobbying group is signaling intense policy battles across safety, technology, and environmental regulations affecting automakers. Its agenda touches everything from autonomous vehicle legislation to semiconductor supply chains and EV incentives.

By the numbers

  • $2.65M: Amount spent on in-house lobbying efforts
  • $70,000: Payment to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
  • $30,000: Payment to Tim Yehl LLC

The Alliance is deploying experienced Capitol Hill veterans to make their case:
David Schwietert: Former Republican Staff Director for the Senate Commerce Committee (2013-2015)

  • John Ohly: Former staffer for the House Energy and Commerce Committee (2007-2018)
  • Megan Ekstrom: Experienced lobbyist with activity dating back to 2011

The agenda

Key legislation in focus

  • Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act (H.R. 2110): Would create a process for survivors of abuse to terminate connected vehicle services that could enable stalking
  • AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 315): Would mandate continued AM radio availability in all new vehicles, including EVs
  • She DRIVES Act (S. 161): Would require updated safety testing procedures that better account for all body types
  • Transportation Freedom Act (S. 711): Proposes tax deductions for wages paid to auto manufacturing workers

Between the lines

The lobbying surge reveals an industry navigating competing pressures:

  1. Pushing for flexible implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s EV incentives while addressing concerns about foreign entities (particularly China) in the supply chain

  2. Balancing innovation in autonomous vehicles and connected car technologies with new safety mandates and testing requirements

  3. Managing conflicting interests with broadcasters and emergency services over AM radio requirements in EVs, where electromagnetic interference poses technical challenges

The opposition

The Alliance isn’t alone in these battles. Key opponents include:

  • The National Association of Broadcasters and iHeartMedia (supporting AM radio requirements)
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline (advocating for connected vehicle restrictions for abuse survivors)
  • Individual member companies like General Motors are also lobbying separately on these issues

Bottom line

This heightened activity suggests the industry expects significant policy developments in 2025 on multiple fronts, particularly around EV transition policies, autonomous vehicle regulations, and the ongoing implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.

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