[cheweh]

Over $23 million paid by automakers funded these scummy advertisements. Thankfully we know this from campaign finance transparency. The ads say in fine print that they are paid for by the "Coalition for Safe and Secure Data" and that top donors include "the Alliance for Automotive Innovation."

A Coalition campaign finance report from 2020 [0] shows $23 million in receipts from the likes of Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and others.

Expenditures in that report show who is helping them produce these ads.

[0] https://www.ocpf.us/Reports/DisplayReport?menuHidden=true&id...

[nickff]

Do these reports really matter? Did they change your mind about the issue, or shape your opinion in any way other than fueling your previous view?

I hear many people support these sorts of rules, but nobody seems to really benefit from them.

[jayparth]

Which reports? Reports that require disclosure of political advertising spend?

Yes. They're incredibly important. I want to know who is paying to try to influence an election. Many times, actionable information is exposed through these reports.

[pc86]

Are you going to sell your car or buy a different make of car because of information contained in these reports specifically?

[BostonEnginerd]

It’s interesting that the German automakers have only given a relatively small amount compared to the others.

[Ichthypresbyter]

AIUI the German solution is to make their cars so difficult to repair and maintain, and require so many specialised tools, that nobody who isn't an authorised dealership will want to touch them.