NHTSA Fines DaimlerChrysler $30 Million In CAFE Violations For 2006

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and collects fines from manufacturers who fail to meet their provisions. NHTSA recently updated their website with a list of CAFE fines the agency collected for model year '06 scofflaws.

DaimlerChrysler's $30,257,635.50 penalty covers Mercedes models both imported and domestic, and represents an enormous jump from last year's cost of doing business ($16,895,472). In fact, the now defunct DaimlerChrysler's fine is the largest single amount NHTSA's ever collected, eclipsing BMW's massive penalty in 2001 ($27,985,925).

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pacotacolol - 12/31/2007 9:05:58 AM

-1 Boost

chrysler. thats a name that you never here in headlines

Bill - 12/31/2007 11:43:07 AM

0 Boost

Do you work for Lexus, Mr. Michael Taylor?

Because Lexus sure as hell isn't a green company, no matter how much their marketing brags about that. The LS600h is a joke, an under-delivering and overpriced car that was hyped up to the extreme.

How about an RX330? Or worse, an LX570? You think an overweight, gas-guzzling 5.7- V8 and 2-ton+ SUV is green? I don't.

Mercedes is simply reacting to market demands, and here in the US we want powerful engines for bragging rights, mainly. It looks good on paper and it impresses the guys at your golf table.

Perhaps Lexus should be fined for the LS600h, eh?

nilkilla - 12/31/2007 9:13:23 AM

+1 Boost

who pays for this? chrysler? daimler? did cerebus get stuck with a bill?

and Lexus is already talking about cutting their hybrid. in fact I believe their gas bill fits in with toyota's.

nilkilla - 12/31/2007 9:14:14 AM

+2 Boost

bah, i am too quick...posting before I read, i'll answer my own question with daimler and go back to bed.

jeffy210 - 12/31/2007 9:25:58 AM

+1 Boost

That means that one of two things should happen. They either start offering all of their engine choices and classes over here (doubtful given crash test, emissions and prestige ratings). Or they look at the entire combined fleet of cars offered by the company (even those not offered in the US) and adjust accordingly.

Though I would prefer to see the latter, I don't think that is going to happen either. So what is most likely going to happen (and probably is), is that the CAFE penalties are getting rolled into the price of the car so in effect the consumer is paying for it. Which I guess is just fine because it keeps the car exclusive by jacking up the prices a bit more.

Btw, this is aimed at all luxury brands, not just Mercedes.

BigShow50 - 12/31/2007 9:48:58 AM

+1 Boost

ohh well what's new now a days???...now I will throw this in there for shits and giggles...Toyota/Lexus is "Numero-Uno!!!"....3-2-1...F-L-A-M-E O-N!!!...LMAO!!!

Spectator - 12/31/2007 11:05:19 AM

+2 Boost

Talk about rubbing salt in an open wound. Cerberus is already doing a firesale of Chrysler machinery and plants to hopfully have that company move into the black...now they got hit by a 30M fine...Owwww that's gotta hurt.

People are also about to see how the new CAFE standards the US has just imposed are going to affect more than the domestic auto industry.

pacotacolol - 1/1/2008 10:09:34 AM

+2 Boost

Happy New Year!

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/2/2008 5:55:48 PM

+1 Boost

Huu

You really are stupid.

Go back to the UK sites and then show us the comparisons between the GS450h and the 535d and the A6 3.0 TDI

Just post the HP and Torque figures, the Performance figures and then the Emission Figures and let the Autospies Readers decide on the figures.

Oh and dont forget to list the sites you got your figures from.