Latest news with #GeneralMotors'
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
UK set to approve driverless cars by exact year as approval delayed
Government and industry leaders remain optimistic about the benefits of autonomous vehicles despite the recent pushback as the sector is projected to be worth £42 billion The UK government has officially delayed the approval and rollout of fully driverless cars, pushing the expected date to the second half of 2027, marking a significant shift from previous administration's targets, which said autonomous vehicles were "set to be on roads by 2026'. The Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, which became law in May 2024, was initially hailed as a major step forward for the UK's self-driving car ambitions, establishing a legal framework stating that when a vehicle is in self-driving mode, the manufacturer — not the human occupant — is liable for its behaviour, with the intention of paving the way for the introduction of autonomous vehicles as early as 2026. Several factors have contributed to the government's decision to push back the approval date, with safety concerns playing a major role. Recent incidents involving robotaxis in other countries — such as the suspension of General Motors' Cruise service at the end of last year in San Francisco following safety issues — have intensified caution. The government is prioritising a 'safety-led' approach to avoid similar problems in the UK. Regulatory complexity is another challenge. While the AV Act established the legal foundation, secondary legislation is still required to detail operational standards, insurance requirements and accident liability. Without these, fully driverless cars cannot be legally deployed. Public apprehension remains high, with a 2024 YouGov poll revealing 37% of Britons would feel 'very unsafe' in a driverless car, so building trust is seen as essential. There is also a gap between industry readiness and regulation, with companies including Uber and UK-based Wayve claiming they are technologically ready to deploy driverless taxis immediately. However, without the necessary regulatory approvals, these services cannot launch. Senior Vice President of Mobility at Uber, Andrew Macdonald, told the BBC: "We're ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us.' In relation to safety issues, he added: "The reality is that one accident is too many. That said, with EV, human drivers… we operate in the real world and stuff happens." As of May 2025, only advanced driver-assistance features such as lane assist and traffic jam autopilot are permitted, but a human driver must be ready to take control at all times. Several firms, including Uber, are actively testing more advanced systems and lobbying for faster regulatory progress. Despite the delay, the government and industry leaders remain optimistic about the economic and safety benefits of autonomous vehicles. The sector is projected to be worth £42 billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035. However, industry groups including the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Zenzic and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) have warned that further delays could undermine the UK's competitive position and risk missing out on global leadership in self-driving technology. The UK Department for Transport said in a statement: "We are working quickly and will implement self-driving vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027. We are also exploring options for short-term trials and pilots to create the right conditions for a thriving self-driving sector.'
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Alphabet's Waymo gets California nod for robotaxi expansion in San Francisco Bay Area
Synopsis Waymo requested authorisation to expand its operations in March and received 23 responses in support and no protests from stakeholders, California Public Utilities Commission said in a statement. Waymo, however, said it would not expand the services in the San Francisco Bay Area immediately. Self-driving vehicle companies have been under increased regulatory scrutiny following a major accident in 2023 in San Francisco involving a robotaxi from General Motors' Cruise, which later shut operations.
Vancouver Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Conservative MP says Carney should appoint a labour minister and pay more than 'lip service' to workers
OTTAWA — A Conservative MP is calling on the federal government to dedicate a full cabinet position to the issue of labour, saying Prime Minister Mark Carney must pay more than 'lip service' to workers in his region affected by General Motors' planned shift cuts. Jamil Jivani, the recently reelected MP for Bowmanville—Oshawa North, released a letter through his office on Wednesday, the day after Carney unveiled his new cabinet. Of the 38 cabinet positions, ten were designated as secretaries of state who will not attend every cabinet meeting and are assigned to specific issues. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Labour was one of the issues designated to one of these more junior positions. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government had labour as a full cabinet position. On Tuesday, Carney named John Zerucelli, the newly elected Liberal MP for Etobicoke North, as a secretary of state to labour. In his public letter, Jivani argues that unions and businesses in his region of Durham, which forms part of the Greater Toronto Area, are 'facing serious economic challenges' after General Motors' announced it would be cutting back on shifts at its Oshawa plant this fall, with rotating layoffs starting this June, according to the local union. The local union has warned that hundreds of jobs remain at risk. 'With these local economic factors in mind, it is no surprise that many Canadians are concerned by Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to exclude a Minister of Labour from the newly unveiled federal Liberal cabinet and relegate the labour portfolio to a junior position in government,' Jivani said. He points to comments made by the Canadian director of LiUNA, which represents more than 160,000 union members in fields like construction. Joseph Mancinelli said on X that Carney's decision to exclude a labour minister from his cabinet was a 'slap in the face to our members.' 'If the Canadian government wants respect from labourers, perhaps let's start with a Minister of Labour if cabinet,' Mancinelli wrote. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has focused his party on building support among workers and union members, with Conservatives receiving at least 12 union endorsements in the April 28 federal election and capturing seats in areas affected by U.S. tariffs like southern Ontario Poilievre, who lost his own seat in Parliament and now plans to run in a byelection in rural Alberta, has said Conservatives are prepared to work with the minority Liberals in certain areas, such as when it comes to negotiating with the U.S. 'if the government does a good job.' He nonetheless slammed Carney's cabinet as being similar to ones prepared by Trudeau, with numerous Trudeau-era ministers in top positions. In his letter on Wednesday, Jivani said that 'Carney must more than pay lip service to the concerns of Durham Region's labour unions, businesses, and industry leaders.' He calls on the federal government to take several steps, including reinstating labour as a cabinet position and looking for ways the federal government can help maintain General Motors' production and and incentivizing consumers to buy more Canadian-made vehicles. 'Canadians are hopeful that Prime Minister Carney will negotiate a deal with Canada's auto sector's best interests in mind,' Jivani wrote. 'In the meantime, I am asking for appropriate actions to be taken to mitigate the economic damage of the current economic instability.' NDP MP Leah Gazan also took issue with Carney not naming a labour minister to his cabinet, calling on his to do so in a letter released Tuesday. She accused the prime minister of embracing a non-inclusionary and anti-labour stance in his cabinet appointments.' National Post staylor@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
Calgary Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Conservative MP says Carney should appoint a labour minister and pay more than 'lip service' to workers
OTTAWA — A Conservative MP is calling on the federal government to dedicate a full cabinet position to the issue of labour, saying Prime Minister Mark Carney must pay more than 'lip service' to workers in his region affected by General Motors' planned shift cuts. Article content Article content Jamil Jivani, the recently reelected MP for Bowmanville—Oshawa North, released a letter through his office on Wednesday, the day after Carney unveiled his new cabinet. Article content Article content Of the 38 cabinet positions, ten were designated as secretaries of state who will not attend every cabinet meeting and are assigned to specific issues. Article content Article content Labour was one of the issues designated to one of these more junior positions. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government had labour as a full cabinet position. Article content On Tuesday, Carney named John Zerucelli, the newly elected Liberal MP for Etobicoke North, as a secretary of state to labour. Article content In his public letter, Jivani argues that unions and businesses in his region of Durham, which forms part of the Greater Toronto Area, are 'facing serious economic challenges' after General Motors' announced it would be cutting back on shifts at its Oshawa plant this fall, with rotating layoffs starting this June, according to the local union. Article content The local union has warned that hundreds of jobs remain at risk. Article content 'With these local economic factors in mind, it is no surprise that many Canadians are concerned by Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to exclude a Minister of Labour from the newly unveiled federal Liberal cabinet and relegate the labour portfolio to a junior position in government,' Jivani said. Article content Article content He points to comments made by the Canadian director of LiUNA, which represents more than 160,000 union members in fields like construction. Article content Joseph Mancinelli said on X that Carney's decision to exclude a labour minister from his cabinet was a 'slap in the face to our members.' Article content 'If the Canadian government wants respect from labourers, perhaps let's start with a Minister of Labour if cabinet,' Mancinelli wrote. Article content Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has focused his party on building support among workers and union members, with Conservatives receiving at least 12 union endorsements in the April 28 federal election and capturing seats in areas affected by U.S. tariffs like southern Ontario Article content Poilievre, who lost his own seat in Parliament and now plans to run in a byelection in rural Alberta, has said Conservatives are prepared to work with the minority Liberals in certain areas, such as when it comes to negotiating with the U.S. 'if the government does a good job.'
Edmonton Journal
14-05-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Conservative MP says Carney should appoint a labour minister and pay more than 'lip service' to workers
Article content OTTAWA — A Conservative MP is calling on the federal government to dedicate a full cabinet position to the issue of labour, saying Prime Minister Mark Carney must pay more than 'lip service' to workers in his region affected by General Motors' planned shift cuts. Jamil Jivani, the recently reelected MP for Bowmanville—Oshawa North, released a letter through his office on Wednesday, the day after Carney unveiled his new cabinet.
