After semiconductors, advanced technology and personal data, the US government is now turning its attention to China’s connected vehicles and embedded software. the initiation of an investigation aimed at assessing the risks associated with these technologies.

The announcement came directly from US President Joe Biden just 24 hours after signing an executive order aimed at limiting the bulk transfer of Americans’ personal data to countries deemed confidential. led by China.

How does the US compare to China’s connected cars?

The purpose of this investigation is to assess the extent to which connected vehicles of Chinese origin, electric or not, and onboard software or components originating in China and integrated into imported vehicles may pose a risk in terms of collecting sensitive data. data Joe Biden justified such an approach with illumination the ability of Chinese connected vehicles to collect sensitive data and their ability to transmit it directly to China.
He also raised the fact that China imposes restrictions on foreign cars on its territory, raising doubts about the lack of countermeasures for Chinese cars on American soil.
The move comes amid broader US concerns about China’s technological advances and their impact on national security and the economy. A public inquiry launched by the Commerce Department aims to assess the importance of Chinese software and components throughout the connected vehicle supply chain, affecting not only Chinese vehicles, but also other brands that may integrate these technologies. Because as you probably know, China also supplies a lot of items to other manufacturers, including Europeans.
In addition to concerns about the collection of sensitive data, the US government is also concerned about the possibility of remotely manipulating these connected vehicles for malicious purposes.

The unspoken goal of the United States

Joe Biden also sees the investigation as an opportunity to counter the rise of Chinese automakers in the U.S. market, highlighting unfair practices and consideration of economic protection measures, such as increasing customs tariffs.
Reaction from US industry was mixed, with some organizations hailing the move as a first step toward concrete action, while others called for more drastic measures to protect the economy and national security.
Generally speaking, this is, first of all, another attack on Chinese products, a protectionist measure, which, in general, is not very surprising, since the United States is such a specialist in many areas.

Europe, and France in particular, draws inspiration from this, which is evidenced, in particular, by the new criteria for the environmental bonus.

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