Since March 17, 2025, a prohibition has been put in place for the sale and import of cars from China and Russia that are equipped with advanced communication systems and automatic control. The new regulation specifically targets vehicles that are equipped with Vehicle Connectivity System (VCS) and automatic driving systems (ADS), as well as individual components of these systems that have ties to China or Russia. This ban extends to software and equipment that have been developed, produced, or implemented by companies under the jurisdiction or control of these countries.
VCS encompasses modules that enable cars to connect to external networks, such as telematic blocks, Bluetooth, cellular communications, satellite, and WiFi modules. On the other hand, ADS includes components that facilitate the operation of autonomous vehicles without the need for a driver.
The introduction of this new rule stems from concerns that access to such technologies could potentially lead to the extraction of sensitive data on drivers or vehicle owners, as well as the ability to remotely control cars. The ban applies only to cars weighing up to 4,536 kg, with plans to regulate commercial vehicles like trucks and buses in a separate legislative process in the near future.
While the rule officially went into effect in March 2025, specific restrictions will be implemented at a later date. Software related to communication systems and autopilot will be prohibited for cars from the 2027 model year onwards, while hardware will be subject to restriction starting from the 2030 model year.