The present invention is a crosslinked automotive wire comprising a metal conductor, a flame retardant insulation layer surrounding the metal conductor, and optionally, a wire jacket surrounding the insulation layer. The automotive wire passes the specifications of one or more several automotive cable testing protocols: (a) SAE J-1128, (b) ISO-6722, (c) LV 112, (d) Chrysler MS-8288, and (e) Renault 36-36-05009/-L. In particular, the flame retardant insulation layer is prepared from a crosslinkable thermo-plastic polymer and a metal carbonate. The flame retardant composition for making the insulation layer demonstrates economic and processing improvements over conventional solutions. The present invention is also a method for preparing a low tension primary automotive wire and the automotive wire made therefrom.