The California Air Resources Board has reached a settlement of $250,000 with Flagship Inc. to resolve clean air violations related to the sale of modified Ford vehicles in California. Flagship in Elkhart, Indiana is a Ford Authorized Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer.
CARB said that Flagship advertised, sold, and offered for sale, 2016-2017 model year Ford-150 vehicles that were modified with enhanced configuration accessories and aftermarket superchargers, prior to sale to the consumer. This was the result of regular field inspections at dealerships, and further investigations.
Vehicles sold new in California must be certified to meet California emissions standards. Modifications to a vehicle’s emissions equipment prior to the sale alters the original certification.
“Our tough air quality laws exist to protect public health,” said Executive Officer Richard Corey. “We commend Flagship for cooperating and for their willingness to educate themselves and dealers as well as making the necessary changes.”
Flagship has agreed to take corrective action and to develop compliant processes, and will also pay a settlement of $250,000, with $125,000 going to the Air Pollution Control Fund to support air pollution research.
The remainder will be split with two Supplemental Environmental Projects.
1> Ecosystems Exhibition Wing – Community Teen Program, a paid internship program that integrates science education with paid work experience and college readiness instruction for community youths, will receive $108,000 to help spread information about life sciences and current research projects.
2> $17,000 will be paid to Fresno TREES (Tree planting along Roads to help Eliminate pollution Exposure and Sequester carbon).
The funds will be used to address environmental issues in Fresno, one of the state’s most important environmental justice regions that is heavily impacted, as most are, by pollution.
Fresno TREES is a multiyear project aimed at evaluating how well vegetative barriers such as trees and shrubs protect people from exposure to air pollution downwind from major highways.
Violations of California’s emissions requirements pose a significant health threat to California residents. They can lead to higher amounts of air pollution, which can then exacerbate respiratory ailments and negatively affect other health conditions.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
CARB Fines Flagship, a Ford Specialty Vehicle Maker
The California Air Resources Board has reached a settlement of $250,000 with Flagship Inc. to resolve clean air violations related to the sale of modified Ford vehicles in California. Flagship in Elkhart, Indiana is a Ford Authorized Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer.
CARB said that Flagship advertised, sold, and offered for sale, 2016-2017 model year Ford-150 vehicles that were modified with enhanced configuration accessories and aftermarket superchargers, prior to sale to the consumer. This was the result of regular field inspections at dealerships, and further investigations.
Vehicles sold new in California must be certified to meet California emissions standards. Modifications to a vehicle’s emissions equipment prior to the sale alters the original certification.
“Our tough air quality laws exist to protect public health,” said Executive Officer Richard Corey. “We commend Flagship for cooperating and for their willingness to educate themselves and dealers as well as making the necessary changes.”
Flagship has agreed to take corrective action and to develop compliant processes, and will also pay a settlement of $250,000, with $125,000 going to the Air Pollution Control Fund to support air pollution research.
The remainder will be split with two Supplemental Environmental Projects.
1> Ecosystems Exhibition Wing – Community Teen Program, a paid internship program that integrates science education with paid work experience and college readiness instruction for community youths, will receive $108,000 to help spread information about life sciences and current research projects.
2> $17,000 will be paid to Fresno TREES (Tree planting along Roads to help Eliminate pollution Exposure and Sequester carbon).
The funds will be used to address environmental issues in Fresno, one of the state’s most important environmental justice regions that is heavily impacted, as most are, by pollution.
Fresno TREES is a multiyear project aimed at evaluating how well vegetative barriers such as trees and shrubs protect people from exposure to air pollution downwind from major highways.
Violations of California’s emissions requirements pose a significant health threat to California residents. They can lead to higher amounts of air pollution, which can then exacerbate respiratory ailments and negatively affect other health conditions.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.