-
Recent Posts
- 2025 Corvette ZR1 – 2.3 Seconds 0-60 MPH
- EU Car Sales Weak Again in November
- Supply Chain Resilience – U.S. DOT Four-Year Review
- 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
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
Largest Ever Clean Air Act Fine Imposed on Marathon Oil
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached a settlement with Marathon Oil Company* over Clean Air Act violations at the company’s oil and gas production operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The settlement requires that Marathon pay a civil penalty of $64.5 million, the largest ever for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources, which include downstream facilities such as oil and gas tank systems. Under the settlement agreement, Marathon will implement extensive compliance measures to achieve major reductions in harmful emissions from more than 200 facilities across the state. Continue reading
Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, milestones, news, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, ConocoPhillips, David M. Uhlmann, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Mitigating Climate Change, Ken Zino, Marathon Oil Clean Air Act violations, Merrick B. Garland, U.S. Justice Department
Leave a comment
Toyota Releases More Details on Vehicle Certification Fraud
“All the cases are related to certification. The certification system in Japan verifies whether a product meets the established standards mainly in the fields of safety and environment using measurement methods in accordance with rules. Vehicles can only be manufactured and sold after meeting certification test standards. The point of this issue is that the vehicles were mass-produced and sold without going through the correct certification,” Toyoda said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, engineering, litigation, news analysis, safety
Tagged akio toyoda, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Customer First Promotion Group, Daihatsu, Hino, Ken Zino, MLIT, Shinji Miyamoto, Toyota Group, Toyota Industries
Leave a comment
Department of Labor Sues Hyundai U.S. Over Child Labor
“A 13-year-old working on an assembly line in the United States of America shocks the conscience,” said Wage and Hour Division Administrator Jessica Looman. “As we work to stop illegal child labor where we find it, we also continue to ensure that all employers are held accountable for violating the law.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged Administrator Jessica Looman, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, child labor in auto industry, fair labor standards act, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Jessica Looman, Ken Zino, U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division
Leave a comment
Don’t Drive 2002-2006 Nissan and Infiniti Models
NHTSA is urging all vehicle owners to immediately check to see if their vehicle has an open Takata air bag recall. If it does, owners should contact their dealership to schedule a free repair as soon as possible and follow any warnings from the vehicle manufacturer. Nissan and Infiniti are offering free towing, mobile repair, and in some locations, loaner vehicles. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, litigation, recalls, safety
Tagged 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Infiniti Takata recalls, Ken Zino, NHTSA 20V-747, NHTSA 20V208, NHTSA 20V747, NHTSA recall 20V-008, Nissan Takata recalls, Takata airbag recalls
Leave a comment
UAW Petitions NLRB Over Mercedes Alabama Vote
Over 2000 Mercedes workers voted yes to win their union after an unprecedented, illegal anti-union campaign waged against them by their employer. What that tells us is that in a fair fight, where Mercedes is held accountable to following the law, workers will win their union. All these workers ever wanted was a fair shot at having a voice on the job and a say in their working conditions. And that’s what we’re asking for here. Let’s get a vote at Mercedes in Alabama where the company isn’t allowed to fire people, isn’t allowed to intimidate people, and isn’t allowed to break the law and their own corporate code, and let the workers decide,” the UAW said in a statement to AutoInformed. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, electric vehicles, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CAR Center for Automotive Research, EQE and EQS electric vehicles, GLE and GLS SUVs, Ken Zino, mercedes-benz, Mercedes-Benz Plant Tuscaloosa, nlrb, Shawn fain, uaw
Leave a comment
Norfolk Southern Settles East Palestine Derailment with EPA
“No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again. Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer, and waterways will be cleaner,” Regan said. Continue reading
Posted in environment, litigation, news, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, doj, Environmental Protection Agency, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, Norfolk Southern East Palestine Train Derailment, unlawful discharges of pollutants and hazardous substances, US Justice Department
Leave a comment
Clean Air Act – Prison for Man Disabling Emissions Controls
A man was sentenced today for ongoing violations of the Clean Air Act through an aftermarket scheme to disable the emissions control systems of diesel trucks. Davis Owens, 34, of Cleves, Ohio was sentenced to serve 30 days in prison, seven months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. Continue reading
Posted in aftermarket, auto news, environment, fools 'n frauds, litigation, people, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, clean air act, Davis Owens, emissions controls of diesel trucks, Holderdown Performance, Ken Zino, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, U.S. Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division
Leave a comment
Hyundai Capital America Fined for Civil Rights Violations
“Members of our Armed Forces should not have to worry about having their cars repossessed while they are in military service,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, litigation, news analysis
Tagged Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Civil Rights Violations, DOJ Civil Rights Division, Hyundai Capital America, Ken Zino, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, U.S. Justice Department
Leave a comment
SEC Gets Final Judgment Against Volkswagen on Dieselgate
The final judgment orders VWGOAF to pay $34.35 million in disgorgement and $14.4 million in prejudgment interest. Following the entry of the final judgment, the SEC dismissed its outstanding claims against VWGOAF’s ultimate parent company, Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen AG’s former CEO, Martin Winterkorn. The Court had previously dismissed the SEC’s claims against VW Credit, Inc. on 20 August 2020. These actions have resolved the SEC’s case against Volkswagen in its entirety. Continue reading
Posted in environment, fools 'n frauds, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, marketing, news analysis, public health
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, sec, Securities Act of 1933, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Volkswagen Group of America Finance, VWGOAF
Leave a comment
UAW Files Anti-Labor Charges in Germany Against Mercedes
“MBUSI’s actions not only violate U.S., German and international law, they also violate Mercedes-Benz’s Principles of Social Responsibility and Human Rights. Those principles state: In the event of organization campaigns, the company and its executives shall remain neutral; the trade unions and the company will ensure that employees can make an independent decision” the UAW said.
“Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive anti-union campaign against U.S. autoworkers in Alabama is a clear human rights violation under the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains. If found guilty, Mercedes-Benz faces billions in penalties, including significant fines and bans on government contracts,” the UAW said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, labor issues, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, news analysis, people
Tagged Alabama football Coach Nick Saban, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, German law on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains, Ken Zino, LkSG, Mercedes-Benz Principles of Social Responsibility and Human Rights, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, UAW Files Anti-Labor Charges in Germany Against Mercedes-Benz
Leave a comment
EPA Issues PFAS Test Order with Immediate Effect
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today has issued its fourth Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test order requiring testing on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy. The order requires the 3M Company and Wacker Chemical Corporation to conduct and submit testing on the physical-chemical properties of NMeFOSE,* Chemical Abstract Service Reference Number: 24448-09-7, including testing on the health effects following its inhalation. Continue reading
Posted in environment, litigation, news, news analysis, public health, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, Ken Zino, Michal Freedhoff, N-Methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido ethanol, NMeFOSE, Toxic Substances Control Act
Leave a comment
EPA Finalizes Vehicle Pollution Standards for 2027-32
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. The standards will have significant effects on the types of vehicles available, how much they cost to buy, own and operate, as well as the economy and public health in a politically dysfunctional country. Let the lawsuits commence, particularly from anti-environmentalists, the Republican party, and fossil fuel funded groups.
“With transportation as the largest source of U.S. climate emissions, these strongest-ever pollution standards for cars solidify America’s leadership in building a clean transportation future and creating good-paying American jobs, all while advancing President Biden’s historic climate agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The standards will slash over 7 billion tons of climate pollution, improve air quality in overburdened communities, and give drivers more clean vehicle choices while saving them money. Under President Biden’s leadership, this Administration is pairing strong standards with historic investments to revitalize domestic manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains and create good-paying jobs.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, economy, energy, engineering, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, litigation, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, public health, transportation
Tagged Alliance for Automotive Innovation, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, cafe, epa, greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas standards, Inflation Reduction Act, John Bozzella, Ken Zino, uaw
1 Comment
More Toyota Certification Problems Emerge from MLIT Probe
Toyota Motor Corporation said today that it had received a “correction order” from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), that calls for “drastic reforms to ensure appropriate certification operations.” Akio Toyoda’s chairman’s position remains under threat here from dissatisfied shareholders, AutoInformed notes. Continue reading →