The Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) recently announced its support for the federal government’s Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies: Automated Vehicles 4.0 initiative.
The initiative updated guidelines for driverless vehicles by unifying the efforts of 38 federal departments, independent agencies, and commissions. It focuses on ensuring a consistent regulatory approach, promoting innovation, and prioritize safety and security.
“Motor vehicle component parts manufacturers in the United States have invested (over $1 billion) heavily in safety and automated innovations for vehicles, including research, development, design, and testing,” MEMA President and CEO Bill Long said. “To continue this trend of significant and meaningful U.S. investment, component parts manufacturers rely on certainty from federal and state laws and regulations.”
MEMA urges Congress to pass comprehensive automated vehicle legislation this year. Legislation is necessary for new vehicle technologies and safety innovations to reach their full potential, Long said, and to ensure the United States remains a global leader in technology development.
MEMA would like to work with the federal government on policies and actions that will strengthen America’s competitiveness and foster investment, Long said.
MEMA has worked with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and motor vehicle industry to providing insight into how automated vehicles can be safely deployed and to discuss concerns.