California Car Sales on the Line Over Tracking Rules

California—a titan of the U.S. auto market, accounting for 10% of all national car sales—is pushing forward with sweeping new regulations aimed at protecting domestic-violence survivors. The rules require automakers to halt remote tracking of vehicles upon presentation of a valid restraining order, giving them just two business days to comply. Drivers must also be able to disable location tracking directly from their vehicles.

Industry Warns of a July Shutdown

Major automakers are pushing back, arguing that the deadline—July 1—is too tight. Some warn they may halt sales of new and used cars in California if the law remains unchanged. While manufacturers have rolled out an online system to terminate remote access, they claim critical details—engineering, testing, and integration across multiple models and model years—still need refinement.

A Race Against Time

The industry has rallied behind a proposed bill that would grant automakers additional time to meet the requirements. The automaker group is urging quick passage, hoping the legislation lands on the governor’s desk by next week to avert sales disruptions. The governor’s office has yet to comment on the growing standoff.

A Stark Warning from a Survivor

The stakes are painfully clear: A woman previously sued Tesla after alleging her estranged husband weaponized her car’s tracking technology—despite a restraining order being in place. Her lawsuit accused Tesla of failing to act swiftly enough to protect her.

The clash between privacy rights, safety, and industrial feasibility has never been sharper.