The Trump administration's priority is to promote self-driving regulations. Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) could be the biggest winner.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the transition team of US President-elect Donald Trump plans to prioritize the federal framework for autonomous vehicles at the Department of Transportation. This move will directly benefit Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US), who has placed a bet on the future of Tesla, Inc. in autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence, and has become an important figure in Trump's inner circle. The Trump team is considering developing a framework for regulating autonomous vehicles to overcome existing federal regulations that pose obstacles for companies like Tesla, Inc. that wish to deploy cars without steering wheels or pedals. The Trump team is looking for the right candidate to lead the Department of Transportation and develop policies for regulating autonomous vehicles. While the Department of Transportation can promote the operation of autonomous vehicles through regulations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a bipartisan bill in Congress will pave the way for the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles. Two sources familiar with the matter stated that a bipartisan legislative measure under discussion will establish federal regulations regarding autonomous vehicles. Candidates being considered by the Trump team for Secretary of Transportation include former Uber Technologies, Inc. executive Emil Michael, who has engaged in discussions with Trump's team and potential staff. In addition, Missouri Republican Congressman Sam Graves and Louisiana Republican Congressman Garrett Graves are also under consideration. Although these discussions are still in the early stages and policy details have not been finalized, this move indicates a significant potential change in the Trump administration's regulatory attitude towards autonomous vehicles. Previously, Musk announced in October plans to mass-produce driverless, self-driving Tesla, Inc. Siasun Robot & Automation rental cars starting in 2026, but existing US regulations have posed significant obstacles to this plan. He supported federal autonomous driving rules at Tesla, Inc.'s third-quarter earnings conference call and stated that he will use any government role to push forward the process of allowing autonomous vehicles to be used nationwide. This statement led to stock sell-offs of competitors Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER.US) and Lyft, Inc. (LYFT.US). Subsequently, Trump also appointed Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new government efficiency program aimed at "dismantling government bureaucracies" and reducing spending and regulations deemed overly burdensome, although past efforts to enact federal legislation regulating autonomous vehicles have been unsuccessful. Currently, NHTSA allows manufacturers to deploy up to 2,500 autonomous vehicles annually with exemptions, but legislative efforts to increase this to 100,000 vehicles have repeatedly failed. A few years ago, during Trump's first term, a bill aimed at achieving this goal passed smoothly in the House of Representatives, but the measure was blocked in the Senate. In his first year in office, the Biden administration attempted to merge this bill with other legislation, but failed due to some manufacturers trying to include language preventing consumer lawsuits or class action suits in the bill.