H.R. 9162: Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act of 2026, aims to restrict the entry of certain connected vehicles into the United States. Here are the key points:

Prohibition on Entry of Connected Vehicles

The bill prohibits connected vehicles from entering or being transported into the U.S. if:

• The vehicle originates from a "covered country," which includes North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran, or if the vehicle was designed in one of these countries.
• The manufacturer of the vehicle is a joint venture, subsidiary, or other organization where more than 15% of ownership, control, or representation comes from entities based in a covered country.

Exceptions to the Prohibition

There are circumstances under which the prohibition does not apply:

• If the vehicle is not intended for public road use, and
• If it is brought in solely for testing and evaluation by a U.S.-based entity that does not have its principal place of business in a covered country, and is not significantly owned by entities from a covered country.

Authorization Process

The bill allows for exceptions through a formal authorization process:

• The U.S. Customs Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, may issue an authorization for a vehicle otherwise restricted, provided it is demonstrated that the vehicle does not pose risks such as data theft or threats to national security.
• The authorization process requires a notice to Congress 60 days prior to the enforcement of any authorization, during which Congress has the opportunity to disapprove it.

List and Risk Assessment

The Secretary will maintain a published list of connected vehicles that receive authorization. This list will include:

• The make, model, and manufacturer of the vehicles, and
• An explanation of why each vehicle does not pose risks as outlined in the bill.

Regulations and Implementation

Regulations to implement these provisions need to be established within 90 days from the enactment of the bill. These regulations will outline:

• A list of vehicles that are subject to the entry prohibition, and
• A plan for informing the public about these restrictions.

Effective Date

The prohibitions will take effect 30 days after the regulations are published in the Federal Register, affecting any vehicles attempted to be brought into the U.S. from that date onward.

Definitions

The bill defines several important terms, including:

• Commissioner: Refers to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• Connected Vehicle: A vehicle that integrates networked hardware with software systems to communicate wirelessly with other networks or devices, primarily for use on public roads.
• Covered Country: Includes North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran, which are currently facing U.S. sanctions and restrictions.

Relevant Companies

• NIO - A Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that could be directly affected by this bill, as it operates primarily in China.
• BABA - Alibaba Group, which has investments in various tech sectors including automotive, may face restrictions regarding automotive technologies sourced from China.
• TSLA - Tesla may also have to reassess its supply chains and partnerships in light of the increased scrutiny on vehicles with Chinese components.
• GM - General Motors, while a U.S. company, may be indirectly affected due to its partnerships and supply chain ties with foreign entities that could involve covered countries.