Credited from: APNEWS
In a significant development, Hino Motors Ltd., a subsidiary of Toyota, has agreed to pay over $1.6 billion and plead guilty to a multi-year criminal conspiracy involving fraudulent emissions testing and data submission to U.S. regulators. This settlement is part of an overarching agreement that resolves both federal and California state claims regarding emissions compliance. The company has acknowledged submitting false and misleading information regarding the emissions produced by over 105,000 diesel engines used in heavy-duty trucks, which fell short of established state and federal standards, as detailed by the NPR.
The U.S. Justice Department reported that Hino's actions enabled the firm to secure approvals for the sale and import of its diesel engines in the U.S. market, effectively compromising the environmental integrity meant to safeguard public health. Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim stated, "Hino knew the requirements that engines must meet to be certified to operate in the United States, yet it falsified data for years to skirt regulations," highlighting the egregious nature of these violations. The settlement, which still requires court approval, includes a hefty fine of $521.76 million, along with commitments for a comprehensive compliance and ethics program over a five-year probationary period during which the company is banned from importing diesel engines into the U.S. [source: AP News].
Moreover, the company has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $525 million to cover the costs related to its evasions and has committed to offset excessive pollution caused by its practices. This includes funding replacements for engines on ships and trains with cleaner alternatives, as well as supporting the deployment of hybrid and zero-emission buses and trucks in California, according to data sourced from the BBC. Hino's CEO, Satoshi Ogiso, expressed deep regrets regarding the situation and pledged to enhance the company’s compliance measures.
The conclusion of this case adds to a growing number of recent crackdowns on automotive manufacturers involved in emissions fraud, reminiscent of the infamous Dieselgate scandal that rocked the industry. Such actions reflect a stringent regulatory environment aimed at safeguarding air quality and consumer protection, with the EPA emphasizing the need for manufacturers to maintain the integrity of their emissions data.
To read more about this settlement and its implications, visit the full articles at NPR, AP News, and BBC.