House Committee Advances SELF DRIVE Bill; Honda Motor Reports Q3 Results and Share Cancellation

U.S. committee advances bill that could reshape how automakers deploy self-driving cars

Automakers Face Federal AV Standardisation Push

A narrowly approved bill in the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee moves Congress closer to creating a national framework for autonomous vehicles, a development that could materially affect Honda Motor and other global carmakers developing self-driving technology. The SELF DRIVE Act clears the committee in a 12–11 vote as lawmakers seek to supersede a growing and varied patchwork of state rules after recent safety incidents, including a Waymo vehicle striking a student in Santa Monica that produced no injuries.

Proponents say the measure aims to set uniform safety, certification and transparency standards that ease cross‑state testing and deployment for manufacturers such as Honda, which is advancing automated-driving and electric vehicle programmes internationally. Supporters argue consistent federal rules would simplify certification processes and reduce regulatory fragmentation that can slow scaling of AV fleets, supplier coordination and compliance efforts across jurisdictions where Honda operates.

Critics counter that the bill risks pre‑empting state authority without sufficiently strengthening on‑the‑ground safety oversight, independent accident probes or public reporting requirements. The narrow committee margin underscores political division over federal pre‑emption versus local control, and signals that if the bill reaches the House floor and is reconciled with the Senate, it would mark a major U.S. policy shift with direct implications for vehicle testing, safety compliance and product launch timetables for established OEMs and new AV entrants alike.

Honda quarterly results and operational outlook

Honda reports a fiscal third‑quarter operating profit of 591.5 billion yen for the period ended Dec. 31, 2025, with operating cash flows after R&D adjustment of 1,855.8 billion yen. The company cites solid motorcycle sales led by India and Brazil, even as its automobile business records profit declines attributed to tariff effects and one‑time EV‑related expenses.

Outlook and capital moves

For the year ending March 31, 2026, Honda maintains prior forecasts of 550.0 billion yen operating profit and 300.0 billion yen net profit, and holds volume forecasts at 21.3 million motorcycle units and 3.34 million automobile units. The company also plans to cancel 747 million common shares on Feb. 27, 2026, leaving 4,533 million shares issued after cancellation.