EPA v. Suzuki

Case summary

This case addresses violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by Suzuki Motor Corporation and American Suzuki Motor Corporation (collectively Suzuki ). American Suzuki Motor Corporation is a California corporation in Brea, California, and is the U.S. affiliate of Suzuki Motor Corporation. Suzuki Motor Corporation, based in Japan, is a multinational manufacturer and supplier of automobiles, highway motorcycles, marine engines, and nonroad recreational vehicles. Suzuki manufactured, imported into the United States and sold 25,000 non-compliant ATV's and offroad motorcycles. The vehicles were equippped with two separate and unique sets of electronic engine control module (ECM) instructions (maps): the standard map specified in the vehicles' EPA-approved certificate of conformity and a racing map. The racing map was activated with an aftermaerket product marketed as the Cherry Bomb . The racing map, when activated with the Cherry Bomb, alters the air-fuel ratio under certain operating conditions such that the vehicles do not meet applicable emissions standards throughout the adjustable range. The Cherry Bomb cost less than $50 and could be installed in under 10 minutes. These violations were identified and self-disclosed to the EPA by Suzuki. ATVs and motorcycles that are not certified may be operating without proper emissions controls and can emit excess hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides that can cause respiratory illnesses, aggravate asthma and contribute to the formation of ground level ozone, or smog. Suzuki will pay a civil penalty of $885,000 for the certification violations. Additionally, Suzuki will implement three emission mitigation projects to reduce hydrocarbon emissions by 210 tons or more: Suzuki will work with local jurisdictions in the U.S. to provide portable fuel containers (PFCs) that comply with current EPA regulatory requirements. These containers will replace older unregulated PFCs that do not meet current standards. This project will reduce hydrocarbon emissions by 42.02 tons or more. Suzuki will discontinue its sale in the U.S. of high-permeability fuel line hoses, and instead will sell only low-permeability fuel line hoses for all Model Year 2006 and 2007 Suzuki on-road motorcycles, nonroad motorcycles, and ATVs. These replacement hoses will meet current EPA specifications for replacement fuel line hoses. This project will reduce hydrocarbon emissions by 14.2 tons or more. Suzuki will equip at least 1,924 Model Year 2013 Suzuki on-road motorcycles, to be sold throughout the U.S. except California, to meet California Air Resources Board evaporative emission requirements. This project will reduce hydrocarbon emissions by 155.6 tons or more. Suzuki also will modify its Warranty Policy and Owner’s Manual for ATVs and Off-Road Motorcycles. These modifications will increase awareness of the possible consequences of modifications to emissions control systems, environmental regulations, prohibited modifications, and acts that could result in loss of warranty coverage. For more information, see the web page for the Suzuki case at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/suzuki.html

Defendants (2)

• Suzuki Motor CorporationNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• American Suzuki Motor CorporationNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SUZUKI CORPORATION OF AMERICA

  3251 EAST IMPERIAL HIGHWAY, BREA, CA, 92822

  Registry ID: 110006474056

Statutes cited

• CAA 211 — Regulation of Fuels - Motor Vehicle and Engine Fuels

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Suzukientered 2012-09-03

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $885,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2012-09-03Final Order Issued
• 2012-09-03Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2012-10-07Enforcement Action Data Entered