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Scooter importer fined for improper emissions labels. 

Release 09-13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Caesar
February 17, 2009
(626) 575-6728
www.arb.ca.gov
								
ARB fines San Francisco scooter importer $4,350 for improper
vehicle engine labels

SACRAMENTO- The California Air Resources Board fined San
Francisco-based Bajaj USA in January $4,350 for selling imported
motor scooters with incorrect emissions labels.

The violations were discovered by ARB enforcement officers who
noticed the improper engine emissions certification labels on the
scooters.

“Retailers are as responsible as the manufacturers of vehicles
for assuring that the products they sell meet California’s tough
air pollution requirements,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols.
“We are seeing increasing numbers of scooters being sold as an
inexpensive alternative to cars, as well as for recreational use.
On a mile per mile basis, they actually create more smog than
passenger cars.”  

In March 2005, Bajaj USA ordered a shipment of the Chetak model
scooters from the factory in India. The vehicles arrived in 2006,
labeled with 2006 emission labels. The scooters were certified
for sale and use for the 2005 model year but not 2006, and as a
result, they were improperly labeled and in violation of
California law. Improper labeling a vehicle can mislead
consumers, who may think they are buying a vehicle from a
particular model year or that the vehicle is California
certified, when in reality it is not. 

All new vehicles sold in the state must possess an accurate
California emissions label, in addition to a federal emissions
label. The fine is $50 per vehicle, but for large retailers the
penalty can add up quickly due to their large inventories.
Improperly labeled vehicles affect both the consumer and the
retailer.
 
As part of the settlement, Bajaj USA has 60 days to send out the
correct labels to the owners of all the affected scooters, and
provide a self-addressed stamped letter or postcard for the
customer to sign and return once they have affixed the new label.
Within one week after the 60-day period, Bajaj USA must provide a
written report to ARB with the number of labels affixed, and the
number that have not been affixed and the reason for the delay. 

Bajaj USA must also pay $4,350 to the California Pollution
Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to
improve California's air quality and reduce hazardous ozone.

Ozone, also known as urban smog, is one of the harmful
byproducts of vehicle emissions.  It can affect human health in
many ways including: itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat,
difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, cough, heightened
asthma rates, and increased cardiopulmonary cases and premature
deaths. 

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency.  ARB’s mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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