America’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Harley-Davidson (H-D) has entered an agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pay a USD 12 million (RM48.1 million) fine for selling “super tuner” devices that bypass emissions controls.
Under the terms of the agreement, aside from the fine, H-D has to put USD 3 million (RM12 million) in a non-motorcycle related project to reduce air pollution. H-D sold approximately 340,000 super tuner devices under its “Screamin’ Eagle” brand at a cost of between USD 250 to 450 (RM1,000 to RM1,800) since 2008.
The super tuner is a small box that is connected to the motorcycle’s ECU to increase power and performance and the EPA says bypasses emissions and noise controls. In a statement reported by Reuters, H-D is to stop selling the super tuners by 23 August, and buy-back and destroy all dealer stock of the super tuners.
Warranty claims from owners of motorcycles in the US using such devices must also be denied by H-D, said the statement. A H-D spokesperson said no details on inventory or cost of buying back the super tuner devices were immediately available.
“This settlement immediately stops the sale of illegal after-market defeat devices used on public roads that threaten the air we breathe,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. H-D said in a separate statement that it sold the super tuner devices under a regulation that allowed the sale of such devices for competition use.
Harley-Davidson has to pay 12 MILLION, while Volkswagen has to pay 15 BILLION?
American justice: One law for them, one law for US…
That’s because it depends on how many vehicles are affected and the severity of the issue. VW vehicles had defeat devices from the factory with the intention to fool emissions tests. Harley’s case is that of an aftermarket piggyback box that increases power output but causes bikes to violate EPA emissions regulations. Totally different situations and contexts.
Your excuse doesn’t work:
‘H-D sold approximately 340,000 super tuner devices”
‘depends on how many vehicles are affected’
‘H-D sold approximately 340,000 super tuner devices’
Volkswagen has admitted to circumventing the emissions control system in about 550,000 vehicles sold in the United States since 2008 with the 2.0-liter diesel engine.
340.000 = 12 Million while 550.000 = 15 Billion?
BTW: Nice try, but too dumb… ;)
i will still buy a few of it
Don’t forget one special made for MO1
yup..american justice..same like samsung vs apple
‘H-D sold approximately 340,000 super tuner devices under its “Screamin’ Eagle” brand at a cost of between USD 250 to 450 (RM1,000 to RM1,800) since 2008.’
340,000×250=85,000,000
Harley got US$85 Million and has to pay US$12 Million penalty only? Then this cheating was a good business for them: Still US$73 Million left… ;)
your comment is not so accurate. in the article it states that H-D has to buy back all of the tuner devices. which means they will have to fork out 85 mil plus the fine of 12 mil.
And all this while we are made to believe cars/ bikes manufacturers are making such great strides in improving emissions. It is nothing but a big con.