Wheels: New U.S. vehicles must have rear seatbelt alarms by late 2027

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expanded seatbelt warning requirements.

View in browser|nytimes.com January 14, 2025 The Wheels newsletter is delivered monthly. The next one will appear on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Jenny Kane/Associated Press New U.S. Vehicles Must Have Rear Seatbelt Alarms by Late 2027 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed an existing rule to expand and enhance seatbelt warning requirements. By Amanda Holpuch Benedicte Desrus for The New York Times Automakers Thrived in the Pandemic. Many Are Now Struggling. Changing technology, political turmoil and competition from China are cutting into profits and forcing carmakers to cut jobs and close factories. By Jack Ewing Jim Wilson/The New York Times G.M. Will Stop Developing Self-Driving Taxis The company said it would now focus its efforts on developing fully autonomous vehicles for personal use. By Jack Ewing and Eli Tan Benedicte Desrus for The New York Times Chinese Carmakers Are Taking Mexico by Storm While Eyeing U.S. BYD and other manufacturers are importing cars from China and scouting factory sites in Mexico as part of a global expansion that, for now, excludes the United States. By Jack Ewing Qilai Shen for The New York Times G.M.'s Ailing China Business Will Deal It a $5 Billion Blow General Motors and other foreign automakers are selling fewer cars and losing lots of money in China, where domestic electric and hybrid cars have taken off. By Neal E. Boudette Satoshi Sugiyama/Reuters Why Mergers of Carmakers Like Honda and Nissan Often Falter The Japanese companies are considering joining forces to survive in a rapidly changing auto industry, but auto history is filled with troubled and failed marriages. By Neal E. Boudette NEWS U.A.W. Seeks Union Election at Ford Battery Joint Venture in Kentucky The United Automobile Workers union asked a federal labor regulator to conduct an election at a factory Ford jointly owns with a South Korean battery company. By Neal E. Boudette E.V. Demand Leads Automakers to a Strong 2024 Finish General Motors was the biggest winner in U.S. sales in the final quarter, with a gain of 21 percent. It more than doubled its electric vehicle sales. By Neal E. Boudette Tesla Annual Sales Slip for First Time as Competition Grows The electric-car company led by Elon Musk no longer has the market to itself. Investors are focusing on autonomous driving and other new technologies. By Jack Ewing Car Rental App Turo Grew Quietly Before Ties to Wednesday's Incidents Turo, which investigators say was used to acquire the vehicles involved in the attack in New Orleans and explosion in Las Vegas, was emerging as an alternative car-rental service. By Eli Tan Osamu Suzuki, 94, Who Turned Automaker Into a Powerhouse, Dies He built Suzuki Motor into a Japanese global brand making small vehicles and motorcycles. Entering India's market in the 1980s was one of his early successes. By River Akira Davis and Kiuko Notoya Volkswagen Reaches Labor Deal, Avoiding Germany Plant Closures The automaker agreed to keep all 10 of its factories in Germany open and to guarantee workers' jobs until the end of 2030. By Melissa Eddy Under Pressure, Hyundai Supplier Ends Alabama Prison Labor Contract The supplier fired dozens of prisoners after some of them said they felt they had no choice but to take those jobs. By Talmon Joseph Smith Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Wheels from The New York Times. To stop receiving Wheels, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018