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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo thanking the Department for its efforts to address the risks posed by connected vehicle technology from China and Russia, and urging the Department to finalize its rule prohibiting the sale and import of these vehicles without delay and provide a briefing to the relevant Congressional caucuses on the rulemaking status and implementation strategy.

“I am writing to express my strong support for the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at prohibiting the sale and import of connected vehicles incorporating specific hardware and software components with a sufficient nexus to the People's Republic of China (PRC) or Russia,” Dingell writes. “As our vehicles become smarter and more connected, it is crucial that we address the national security risks posed by these components. This initiative directly addresses significant national security concerns stemming from the increasing prevalence of Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the global automotive market.” 

“Nearly 70% of vehicles on American roads are now connected — they rely on internet-enabled services and advanced software to manage functions such as navigation, vehicle diagnostics, and even autonomous driving features,” Dingell continues. “The data these connected vehicles and their technologies generate also include highly sensitive information. When this technology is manufactured or controlled by companies with close ties to the CCP, our data becomes vulnerable to foreign access and exploitation.”

“Given the gravity of these implications, I ask if the Department would provide a briefing to the relevant Congressional caucuses, such as the Auto Caucus and the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Caucus on the NPRM, its implementation strategy, and the ongoing assessment of risks posed by Chinese and Russian-controlled components in connected vehicles. This briefing would allow Members of Congress to better understand the nuances of the rule and offer any potential assistance,” Dingell concludes. “I also strongly encourage the Department to finalize this rulemaking process without delay, given the urgency of the threat posed by these technologies. The potential threats require a swift response, and I am ready to assist in any way possible to streamline the process and ensure its effective enforcement. Should any legislative support be required to strengthen or clarify the rule’s provisions, I am committed to working collaboratively with both parties in both chambers of Congress to ensure its success.”

View the full text of the letter here. 

Dingell wrote to the Department of Commerce in August urging the Administration to take action to address the privacy and security risks and trade implications posed by connected vehicle technology manufactured and controlled by foreign adversaries, including China.