> Sure, but does slowing down the development of new models count as "adopting safety standards"?

Of course! What slows down the development is the adoption of specific safety conditions the companies draw up. They can just do that, and it will hold up in court.

> in their view, letting other companies win would increase the probability of human extinction

Yes, I've heard: "We must be in charge even if we end up killing everyone in the process." I personally think that proposition is invalid, but we're all entitled to our opinions.