In a previously unreported May 9 letter to Trump administration officials, the head of the trade group representing General Motors (GM.N), Toyota (7203.T), Volkswagen (VOWG.DE), Hyundai (011760.KS), and other major automakers raised urgent concerns.
"Without reliable access to these elements and magnets, automotive suppliers will be unable to produce critical automotive components, including automatic transmissions, throttle bodies, alternators, various motors, sensors, seat belts, speakers, lights, motors, power steering, and cameras," the Alliance for Automotive Innovation wrote the Trump administration.
The letter, which also was signed by MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association, added that, without those essential automotive components, it would only be a matter of time before U.S. vehicle factories are disrupted.
