Car stuff (public account: chedongxi)
Author | SR64
Editor | Zhihao
Che Dongxi reported on July 5 that according to foreign media insideevs, General Motors Group was fined 145.8 million US dollars (about 1.06 billion yuan) for exceeding the emission standards of some models.
An investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that about 5.9 million vehicles manufactured by GM Group brands between 2012 and 2018 exceeded actual emissions beyond the standards stated in the company's initial compliance report, with some exceeding the standard by as much as 10 percent.
According to a notice issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, GM Group has pledged to refund about 50 million tons of greenhouse gas emission credits to compensate for excessive emissions from its models. According to Reuters, GM Group has refunded hundreds of millions of dollars worth of greenhouse gas credits, and will have to pay an additional $145.8 million (about 1.06 billion yuan) in fines.
Cars from the General Motors Group brand
1. Involving 5.9 million vehicles but not recalling
The incident involved 4.6 million light pickup trucks and 1.3 million SUVs produced by GM Group brands. But unlike Volkswagen's emissionsgate scandal in 2015, the EPA did not charge GM Group brands with deliberately using cheating devices to reduce emissions in tests.
Pickup trucks manufactured by Chevrolet, a subsidiary of General Motors Group
At the same time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it would not require GM to conduct a large-scale vehicle recall. Instead of fixing emissions from cars already sold, GM was forfeited greenhouse gas credits to compensate for increased emissions due to exceedances.
Michael S. Regan, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said in a press release, "The implementation of the EPA's vehicle emission standards relies on strong oversight. We investigated the situation and held accountable, maintained our environmental protection plan, and are reducing air pollution to protect the environment across the country. ”
2. GM agreed to pay a fine for two consecutive years
In a statement, GM Group said it has been complying with all applicable laws and regulations in vehicle certification and testing. But GM Group also agreed to pay a fine to quickly resolve a dispute with U.S. federal authorities over emissions.
As early as June 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that GM Group paid a fine of US$128.2 million (about 930 million yuan) for failing to meet fuel economy requirements in 2016 and 2017.
This is the first time GM has paid a fine in the 40-year history of the U.S. fuel economy program. NHTSA also noted that GM Group initially planned to use a line of credit to make up for it, but ultimately chose to pay the fine.
General Motors Group
Conclusion: GM Group is challenged by emissions issues
Although GM Group insists that it has been complying with all applicable laws and regulations in vehicle certification and use testing, the fines imposed on it for two consecutive years have undoubtedly taken a toll on its brand image and market trust.
But at the same time, according to another report by InsideEVS, the number of electric vehicles sold by GM Group brands in the second quarter of 2024 reached a record high, which provides some positive support for GM Group in tackling the greenhouse gas credit challenge and may mitigate the negative impact due to environmental concerns.