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newsrel -- Ford Motor Company fined $2.96 million for sales of non-compliant On-Board Diagnostic systems in California

Posted: 30 Apr 2014 16:59:08
Please consider the following news release from the California
Air Resources Board: http://bit.ly/1mfjyhM
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2014

NEWS RELEASE 14-37

CONTACT:

John Swanton
(916) 322-2990
jswanton@arb.ca.gov


Ford Motor Company fined $2.96 million for sales of non-compliant
On-Board Diagnostic systems in California

$740,000 to provide loan assistance to finance clean diesel
trucks and buses 

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board today announced
that Ford Motor Company has agreed to fines totaling $2,960,000
for violations of air quality laws related to the sale of
vehicles with non-compliant On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems in
California.

Of the $2.96 million, $740,000 will go to the California
Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA), which provides
financial assistance to projects aimed at reducing pollution and
waste and encouraging the use of renewable energy. Funds from
this settlement will go to assist small business owners in
financing retrofits or upgrades of heavy-duty diesel trucks or
buses to meet California’s clean air regulations. Officials
estimate the money will support loans for about 90 clean-diesel
vehicles. 

In jointly announcing the settlement, State Treasurer Bill
Lockyer and ARB Emissions Compliance, Automotive Regulations and
Science (ECARS) Division Chief Annette Hebert commended the
decision to use a portion of these fines to assist truckers. 

“This settlement will help reduce pollution by providing
much-needed financial assistance to California truckers who need
to operate clean diesel vehicles that improve California’s air
quality,” said State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, who chairs CPCFA,
which administers the clean diesel loan program. ARB’s Chief
Hebert added that “while Ford fully cooperated in the resolution
of this matter, violations that can directly lead to higher
levels of smog-forming pollution are taken very seriously.”

OBD systems constantly monitor critical engine and emission
control system operations and alert drivers to problems by
turning on the vehicle dashboard ‘check engine’ light. Once a
problem is discovered, the system provides service technicians
detailed information that can be used to quickly and accurately
pinpoint malfunctions causing operational problems and excessive
pollution from vehicles.

Routine ARB testing revealed that 2011 and 2012 model year Ford
Fiesta vehicles were sold in California with non-compliant
diagnostic systems and improperly designed data link connectors.
Specifically, these systems were found to not properly monitor
the function of several key emissions control systems, including
the catalytic converter and fuel system. The data link problems
discovered by ARB staff make use of the OBD system more difficult
by Smog Check inspectors and independent service providers using
widely available diagnostic tools. Staff also found there were
several instances of failure by Ford to disclose all legally
required vehicle calibration information essential to determining
the effectiveness and compliance of the OBD system.

Ford fully cooperated with ARB in the investigation and
resolution of this matter and has promptly worked with staff to
resolve these non-compliance issues. These actions will help
ensure that future vehicles are fully compliant with OBD system
certification requirements prior to being offered for sale in
California. 

California law requires manufacturers to certify compliance of
all OBD systems prior to offering new vehicles for sale because
these systems are a key part of California’s efforts to reduce
pollution caused by malfunctioning vehicles. Vehicles operating
with faulty emissions control components pose a real health
danger to California residents. They create higher amounts of
smog-forming pollutants, which can exacerbate respiratory
ailments and negatively affect other health conditions.

In addition to the $740,000 for the CPCFA, $2.22 million dollars
will be paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which
was established to decrease air pollution through education and
the advancement and use of cleaner technologies. 


California is in a drought emergency.
Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.

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