-
Recent Posts
- CarMax FY Q3 Net Profit Up 1.2%
- Toyota to Get $4.5M in Fed Funding for EV Batteries
- California Advanced Clean Cars II Regs – EPA Grants Waivers!
- Clean Air Act – Power Performance Enterprises Fined
- Milestones – Sculptor Charles Sykes – Spirit of Ecstasy Creator
- US Auto Sales Forecast Trump Bump or Bumpy 25?
- Toyota Slashes 2025 Electric Vehicle Prices $6000
- Kenworth, Peterbuilt ABS Software Recall
- November Global Light Vehicle Sales Rate 93 Million
- Airports – More Safety, Capacity Improvements On Way
- Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Odometer Tampering
- December U.S. Auto Sales Start Strong
- Technical Tidbits – Porsche 1900 Wheel-Hub Motor
- French are Running Nissan Americas and in Japan
- GM About Face on Robo Taxi Development
Recent Comments
- US Auto Sales Forecast Trump Bump or Bumpy 25? | AutoInformed on Trump Presidency Effects on Auto Industry – All Bad?
- Lisa Jacobson on Fossil Fuel Phase Out or Cop Out at COP28?
- Stellantis on Carlos Tavares Out as Stellantis CEO
- NHTSA Fines Ford $165M for Flouting Recall Law | AutoInformed on Ford Recalls Defective Rear-view Cameras on 620,246 Vehicles
- Alfa Romeo Returns to Formula 1 in 2018 via Sauber on Alfa Romeo Returns to Formula 1 in 2018 via Sauber
Archives
Meta
Category Archives: litigation
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Odometer Tampering
Drew Mitchell Schreiber, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to three counts of odometer tampering, The U.S. Justice Department said today. In all, Schreiber sold 140 rolled-back vehicles. Because many of these vehicles were more than 10 years old, Schreiber obtained so-called “exempt” titles that did not reveal the actual mileage of the vehicles.
“Just because a motor vehicle may be exempt from mileage recording on a title does not give a dealer the right to roll back odometers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “With vehicles remaining in use for longer periods of time, many Americans rely on older vehicles as their primary mode of transportation. Used car buyers deserve peace of mind knowing that the odometer reading in their vehicle is correct.” Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, car sharing, fools 'n frauds, litigation, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Drew Mitchell Schreiber, Ken Zino, NHTSA Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation, odometer tampering, Southeastern Credit Union Solutions, U.S. Justice Department Consumer Protection Branch, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
DOJ – Cruise Deferred Prosecution for Pedestrian Crash
GM’s Cruise autonomous vehicle company* based in San Francisco, fixed a criminal charge in federal court for providing a false record to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation of a crash involving one of Cruise’s autonomous vehicles. Cruise has agreed to resolve the charge through a deferred prosecution agreement and payment of a $500,000 criminal fine.
“Federal laws and regulations are in place to protect public safety on our roads. Companies with self-driving cars that seek to share our roads and crosswalks must be fully truthful in their reports to their regulators,” said Martha Boersch, Chief of the Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, litigation, mobility company, news analysis, quality, safety, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged 000 criminal fine, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cruise $500, Cruise Deferred Prosecution agreement, Ken Zino, Martha Boersch, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
NLRB Rules Against Anti-Union Captive-Audience Meetings
The National Labor Relations Board today issued a decision in Amazon.com Services LLC, ruling that an employer violates the National Labor Relations Act by requiring employees under threat of discipline or discharge to attend meetings in which the employer expresses its views on unionization. Members Prouty and Wilcox joined Chairman McFerran in issuing the decision. Member Kaplan – a Trump appointee – dissented. Continue reading
Posted in labor issues, litigation, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged Amazon.com Services anti-union captive meetings, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David M. Prouty, Gwynne A. Wilcox, Ken Zino, Lauren McFerran, Marvin E. Kaplan, National Labor Relations Board, nlrb, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
American Airlines and JetBlue Alliance Blocked
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit last Friday affirmed the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts’ ruling in favor of the Justice Department and the Attorneys General of six states and the District of Columbia in their civil antitrust lawsuit to stop the Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, customer satisfaction, litigation, news, news analysis, transportation
Tagged antitrust, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, department of justice, jetblue, Ken Zino, sherman act, Spirit Airlines, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Shawn Fain to Speak to Stellantis UAW Membership Tonight
Yesterday, the UAW filed federal unfair labor practice charges at the National Labor Relations Board over what it says is Stellantis’ illegal refusal to provide information about the company’s plans regarding product commitments it made in the UAW’s 2023 collective bargaining agreement. Several UAW locals covering thousands of members have also filed contract grievances over the company’s attempt to move Dodge Durango production out of the United States, in violation of the UAW’s national agreement.
“In our 2023 contract, we won major gains, including a commitment to reopen an idled assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, and to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit. We also won the right to strike over those commitments, if we have to,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Now, Stellantis wants to go back on the deal. As a united UAW, we intend to enforce our contract, and to make Stellantis keep the promise.” Fain will address the UAW membership on Facebook Live tonight. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dodge Durango plant location, Ken Zino, National Labor Relations Board, Shawn fain, unfair labor practice charges, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
North Carolina Parts Seller Fined for Emission Defeat Devices
North Carolina automotive parts manufacturer and seller, Rudy’s Performance Parts Inc. (Rudy’s), and its owner, Aaron Rudolf, have agreed to pay a total of $10 million in criminal fines and civil penalties for manufacturing, selling and installing devices, commonly known as “defeat devices,” used to remove or disable required emissions controls in motor vehicles, the U.S. Department of justice said today.
“Defeat devices, such as those sold by Rudy’s, can lead to pollution at high levels that pose health risks and harm the environment,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This plea agreement and civil settlement show that we will take strong action to enforce the Clean Air Act and emissions controls requirements for motor vehicles.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, electronics, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged Aaron Rudolf, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, OBD defeat devices, Rudy’s Performance Parts, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Global Warming – EPA Issues HFC Enforcement Alert
“After another summer of record-breaking heat, the urgency of the climate crisis continues to accelerate. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to meeting our goals to phase-down HFCs, which contribute dramatically to near-term climate change, so that our children and grandchildren can have a sustainable future,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann, of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
“EPA and its law enforcement partners will police our borders and ports to halt HFC smuggling to protect our nation from the harmful effects of climate super pollutants,” said Ulmann.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, global warming, litigation, news, news analysis, public health
Tagged AIM Act, American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David M. Uhlmann, epa, hfcs, hydrofluorocarbons, Ken Zino, Montreal Protocol, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
CARB Settles Nuisance Odor Case at AB&I Foundry
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) said today that they finalized a settlement with McWane, Inc., doing business as AB&I Foundry, of East Oakland, Calif., to resolve nuisance odors and permit … Continue reading
Posted in auto news, environment, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis
Tagged AB&I Foundry of East Oakland CA, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BAAQMD, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, California Air Resources Board, carb, Ken Zino, Liane Randolph, McWane Inc, Roots Community Health Center, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
IIHS On Intelligent Speed Assistance
“ISA systems have been around for several decades. Using GPS devices with speed limit maps, onboard sensors or cameras that “read” signs or both, they can identify the speed limit in the vehicle’s location and detect when the driver exceeds it, but they vary in their response. Unlike the unit I used, which worked by restricting the engine’s output, some systems only provide an audible or visual warning or make the accelerator harder to press. As of July 1, new vehicles sold in Europe are required to have ISA that at least provides a warning, and the California legislature is currently considering a similar mandate for vehicles sold in the state.
“Even without a legal requirement, ISA systems of various types are starting to appear as options on new vehicles in the U.S., and companies such as MAGTEC and Sturdy sell aftermarket ISA systems, primarily targeting fleet operators. Navigation apps also include speed warnings if the user chooses. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, blog, electronics, engineering, litigation, news analysis, people, public health, safety, shows and events, software defined vehicles, software defined vehicles
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ian Reagan, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Takata Flack II – Mazda Issues Do Not Drive Alert
Mazda North American Operations today issued an urgent “Do Not Drive” warning about its vehicles equipped with non-desiccated Takata air bags that were recalled, buts still are unrepaired. NHTSA made the documents public. Mazda apparently did not bother to alert media outlets about this life threatening safety defect. Ford Motor to its credit did. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, litigation, news analysis, public health, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Mazda Takata airbag recalls, NHTSA Consumer Alert Do Not Drive, Takata air bag recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
UAW Files Labor Charges Against Donald Trump And Elon Musk for Attempting to Intimidate and Threaten Workers
“When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean. When we say Trump stands against everything our union stands for, this is what we mean,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “Donald Trump will always side against workers standing up for themselves, and he will always side with billionaires like Elon Musk, who is contributing $45 million a month to a Super PAC to get him elected. Both Trump and Musk want working class people to sit down and shut up, and they laugh about it openly. It’s disgusting, illegal, and totally predictable from these two clowns.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, fools 'n frauds, litigation, milestones, news analysis, people, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, donald trump, elon musk, Ken Zino, National Labor Relations Act, Shawn fain, uaw, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
More Takata Flack – Ford Issues Do-Not-Drive Advisory
Ford Motor today issued a “do-not-drive advisory for owners of vehicles who have not yet had their vehicles repaired under three past Takata airbag safety recalls. These previously announced recalls are Ford recalls 15S21, 17S42, and 19S01. The first issued in 2015, involve several vehicle lines equipped with Takata non-desiccated airbag inflators. This do-not-drive advisory is the second Takata related do-not-drive recall advisory issued by Ford and it is intended to encourage owners to complete the recall repairs immediately. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, public health, quality, recalls
Tagged 17S42, 19S01, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ford recalls 15S21, Ken Zino, Takata airbag recalls, Takata airbag shrapnel, X @KenAutoinformed
Leave a comment
Clean Air Act – Power Performance Enterprises Fined
Louisiana-based company Power Performance Enterprises Inc. (PPEI) and its president and owner, Kory B. Willis, were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Sacramento, California, for violating and conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act by tampering with the monitoring devices … Continue reading →