FCA Paid $77 Million In Fines To Sell Cars The Public Wanted Rather Than What The Fed Says The Public Needs

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles paid $77 million in U.S. civil penalties late last year due to its failure to adhere to 2016 model year fuel economy requirements. In December, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a report claiming the industry faced millions in fines from 2016 and that one manufacturer was expected to pay significant civil penalties.

You can probably guess which one. But FCA is by no means the only automaker affected by stringent fuel rulings.

The NHTSA said the number of automakers with emission credit shortfalls rose to 26 in 2016. For some perspective, 2011 was a terrible year for automakers, with 18 companies coming up short for a industry penalty of around $40 million. It’s clear the automotive sector is having real trouble meeting the rising emissions rules and less clear what should be done about it.

PUGPROUD - 2/12/2019 11:01:41 AM

+5 Boost

The customer is always right. Give a customer what it wants and write off the fines as the cost of doing business. The largest grossing restaurant in NYC recognizes that it is impossible to meet all health codes and pass government inspections so it budgets $50,000+ into its annual budget to pay the fines. For example, it slow cooks its roast beef at a low temperature to be tender and juicy but it is against health regulations even though its not unhealthy.

ricks0me - 2/12/2019 5:57:31 PM

+3 Boost

The gov't should keep out of the auto business

MDarringer - 2/12/2019 7:05:16 PM

+1 Boost

There should be no engineering of the market in any economic way by the government. There should be no gas guzzler tax. If people buy a guzzler then don't b!tch about it.

mini22 - 2/13/2019 10:09:18 AM

+4 Boost

I agree. Anyone should have the right to buy what they want. However taxing gasoline to higher limits is always a government option for infrastructure. If somebody wants to own a gas guzzler then and has no issue paying $150 to fill up their tank that's their right to do so. People shop with their wallet. Its what you can afford.

Holydude - 2/19/2019 6:31:43 PM

+1 Boost

It's our right to buy whatever we want, it's also the government's right to tax what they want, especially if they need to provide healthcare for people whose health is affected by your smog-emitter (along with infrastructure and etc).

Don't like it? Feel free to go to another country or don't buy the car.