EPA Hits Suzuki With $885,000 Penalty and Other Sanctions

American Suzuki has agreed to a number of sanctions including an $885,000 penalty for importing ATVs and off-road motorcycles that do not meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s emission control standards.

The EPA and Suzuki negotiated the monetary penalty as well as other sanctions for the 25,396 units of the 2006-2009 LT-R450 ATV and the 62 units of the 2010 RMX450Z. While the models in question were tested and certified by the EPA, the testing was done on the electronic engine control module’s standard map.

What Suzuki did not disclose in the certification process was the RMX450Z and LT-R450 also had a racing map that would push emissions outside the accepted control standards. These racing map were only accessible from a third-party aftermarket product known as the “Cherry Bomb“, but because the map was pre-programmed into the stock machine, Suzuki was required to disclose the ability to adjust the air-fuel mixture through engine mapping when filing for the certificate of conformity. We actually tested out the Yoshimura Cherry Bomb on a 2009 LT-R450 (along with other Yoshimura products), which you can read about here.

In addition to the $885,000 fine, Suzuki agreed to a three emissions mitigation projects that would reduce the emission of over 210 tons of hydrocarbons.

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Win a Suzuki ATV or Motorcycle on Thanksgiving Weekend

After stuffing yourself with turkey and pumpkin pie, head over to your local Suzuki dealership for a chance to win a brand new Suzuki ATV, motorcycle or scooter.

To enter in the Thanksgiving weekend giveaway, you need to take a picture of yourself on any Suzuki ATV, motorcycle or scooter (a salesperson must be present in the photo). After taking the photo, visit the SuzukiScoop Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/suzukiscoopfans), click on the “Weekend Giveaway” tab, enter their information and upload the photo for a chance to win. SuzukiScoop Fans can see the other photos submitted, and the winner will be randomly selected.

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