Automotive safety standards in the United States change every year, with new requirements forcing automakers to add new features to their cars. For example, backup cameras have been federally mandated since 2018, so every automaker was required to add one to every model in their lineup. Some of these changes must be acted on swiftly while others offer carmakers a leeway period, as is the case with the latest requirement.

By September 1, 2022, all automakers must install automatic emergency braking on every model. Automatic emergency braking triggers the brakes when the vehicle detects an impending rear-end collision. The technology isn't perfect but is expected to halve the number of rear-end accidents. With around two years left until the deadline, ten automakers have already met the requirements according to reporting by Bloomberg.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo on the luxury side, and Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen on the mainstream side are already compliant. Tesla also meets the requirements with models like the 2021 Tesla Model S going above and beyond using its available Autopilot suite of semi-autonomous driving features.

There's a common thread between all automakers (excluding Tesla): none of them are from the US. According to Consumer Reports, Ford has only equipped 91% of its vehicles with automatic emergency braking, while General Motors and Fiat Chrysler trail with the technology on less than half of their vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati, and Mitsubishi also lag with less than half their models meeting the requirements.

There is still plenty of time for automakers to add autonomous emergency braking to every model, however. Adding these features may make new cars more expensive each year, but consumers seem willing to pay extra for a safer vehicle. There are still other features that have yet to be legalized in the US, like camera mirrors and fully automatic high beams, but perhaps these will be allowed under the new incoming presidential administration.