A coalition of the nation’s leading automakers has written to Donald Trump, urging the president-elect to refrain from making unnecessary regulatory changes.

A group of 42 automakers has urged President-elect Donald Trump to preserve existing EV tax incentives and emissions regulations. In a letter addressing various automotive policies, including autonomous driving and road safety, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation expressed its stance, according to a New York Times report titled “Automakers to Trump: Please Require Us to Sell Electric Vehicles.” (The report includes a 2020 photo of Trump with the ill-fated Lordstown electric pickup truck.)
The letter, dated November 12, was sent by the Alliance, whose members collectively account for the majority of new vehicle sales in the U.S. annually.

Stellantis States It’s Ready for Policy Shifts
A know automotive media reached out to Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis—all members of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation—for comments on the matter. Representatives from Ford and General Motors referred to the Alliance’s letter, declining further comment. Stellantis provided a direct response:
“The New York Times story suggesting Stellantis is lobbying the incoming Trump Administration to maintain EV mandates is inaccurate. Stellantis was not among the ‘lobbyists and officials from several car companies’ mentioned as sources in the article. Our CEO has consistently emphasized that Stellantis is uniquely positioned to adapt to any policy changes President-elect Trump may introduce. Our multi-energy platforms allow flexibility across a wide range of powertrains, from internal combustion engines to fully battery-electric systems.”
Interestingly, the regulations automakers aim to preserve are designed to reduce tailpipe emissions and eventually transition the industry toward electric vehicle production.

Collaboratively Developed Electric Vehicles
A letter from John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, emphasizes that the auto industry thrives on “stability and predictability in auto-related emissions standards.” Automakers have already invested billions in electric vehicle (EV) research and development and are concerned about the risk of being undercut by subsidized internal-combustion alternatives.
This concern stems from the industry’s long planning cycles, with designers and engineers working on vehicles set for release as far out as 2028 or beyond—models being developed under current regulations. “The worst scenario for automakers, even worse than challenging regulations, is policy swinging back and forth every four years,” Stephanie Brinley, an analyst with S&P Global Mobility’s Auto Intelligence service, told The New York Times.
In addition to emissions standards, the Alliance’s letter highlights automakers’ concerns about losing the $7500 EV tax credit introduced under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Notably, Tesla, led by Elon Musk, is not part of the Alliance. According to a separate New York Times report, Musk has advocated for eliminating the tax credit, claiming it “would be devastating for our competitors” but would have a less significant impact on Tesla.