Ban on Chinese connected-car software is almost ready

However, the ban, as written, is not absolute. Companies can seek authorization to import software or hardware that would otherwise be outlawed, but the request would need to satisfy the US government and possibly be subject to conditions.

There are also exemptions for software for vehicles older than model year 2027 and hardware for vehicles older than model year 2030, including parts imported for warranty or repair work. (The government points out that retroactively applying the new rule would be a little pointless as any harm would already be done by vehicles that had compromised systems that predate it going into effect.)

And the final rule would only apply to light-duty vehicles. Anything with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 lbs is exempt but will be dealt with in “a separate regulation tailored to the commercial sector in the coming months.”

Auto industry suppliers probably face the most disruption as a result of the new rule—just the presence of a Chinese-made module in a larger system is enough to trigger the import ban. But there should be little disruption to the US car market, at least for now.

Since the rules only go into effect from model year 2027, the few Chinese-made vehicles on sale in the US—models from Polestar, Volvo, Lincoln, and Buick—may remain on sale. However, Polestar’s Chinese ownership may prove somewhat of a sticking point compared to Ford and GM. Ars notes that lawyers representing Polestar met with the Commerce Department last week—we reached out to the automaker for a comment and will update this piece should we hear back.

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