Major EPA verdict against Chinese imports...

EPA just announced the withdrawl of approvals to import over 200,000 Chinese motorcycle and ATV units into the US claiming the emissions standards certs were falsified. No details given on what that actually means but it does mean fees could be levied against the manufacturers (good luck getting that!) or the importers. Naturally CARB followed suite and I'm sure will be more than happy to issue and collect fees.

Quoted text and link from the EPA below...

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew its approval of the import and sale of up to 200,000 gas-powered off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. The agency suspects that tailpipe emissions information was either incomplete or falsified. This is the first time EPA has voided certificates of conformity for these types of vehicles and only the second time the agency has done so for any type of vehicle. EPA is considering an enforcement action under the Clean Air Act, which could lead to significant financial penalties against the businesses that manufactured or imported these types of recreational vehicles.

As a result of a lengthy investigation, EPA is alleging that the applications for the certificates contained false or incomplete information. EPA issued the certificates in 2006 and 2007 to the U.S. counterparts of four of China’s largest manufacturers of these types of vehicles: Hensim USA (City of Industry, Calif.), Loncin USA (Hayward, Calif.), Peace Industry Group (Norcross, Ga.), and Seaseng (Pomona, Calif.). The certificates were issued based on applications compiled by their consultant, MotorScience Enterprise. EPA believes MotorScience Enterprise intentionally submitted false or incomplete emissions information.

The Chinese manufacturers are Chongqing Hensim Group Co., Chongqing Longting Power Equipment Co., Zhejiang Peace Industry and Trade Co., and Zhejiang Chisheng Industry and Trading Co.

All vehicles imported or manufactured in the United States are required to have certificates of conformity, which are issued by EPA. To obtain a certificate, a manufacturer or importer must submit an application that describes the vehicle and its emission control system, and provide emissions data that demonstrates that the vehicle will meet federal emission standards for certain pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and total hydrocarbons. EPA alleges that this information was falsified.

Because the manufacturers failed to properly test the emissions from their own products, EPA cannot determine whether the vehicles meet EPA emission standards. Without proper emission controls, recreational vehicles can emit substantially more pollution than allowable under EPA standards.

Volatile organic compounds and NOx emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog. In addition, exposure to even low levels of ozone can cause respiratory problems, and repeated exposure can aggravate pre-existing respiratory diseases.

The California Air Resources Board, which issued executive orders similar to EPA’s certificates of conformity, has also voided its executive orders covering the same vehicles that were sold in California.

Today’s action impacts the companies that manufactured and imported these vehicles. A consumer who owns a model that was covered by these voided certificates is not responsible for these companies’ wrongdoing and can continue to use the vehicle.

More information on the recreational vehicles: http://epa.gov/otaq/recveh.htm

Damn the sorry bastards to hell. More than likely politicking by the japs and HD forced this. Even if it is true so what? Single drivers in passenger cars use so much more gas and produce emissions, first world countries dump lethal shit all over the planet, politicians and bureaucrats produce methane at both ends. grrrrr.

Carl, isn't this the same action as was reported earlier in the Pep Boys thread? Interesting to see the manufacturers listed here.

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The Chinese manufacturers are Chongqing Hensim Group Co., Chongqing Longting Power Equipment Co., Zhejiang Peace Industry and Trade Co., and Zhejiang Chisheng Industry and Trading Co.

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This does not look like an "A list" of Chinese motorcycles. Know anything about these makers?

thanks

It's a similar topic, just extended in reach. There's a difference between what we consider "A list" manufacturers and manufactures that have some of the most developed distribution.

Like many (or at least some) political actions, I'm sure the decision to restrict these machines was spearheaded by marginally rational evidence. I'm not clear how someone could falsify the test results and get anywhere near the shore.

While sanctions like this will impact some already struggling local dealers and shops, the regulatory Samsonite gorillas may unintentionally be doing us a favor in the long run by thinning the herd a bit. The Japanese had to go though similar, if not even more ludicrous, import restrictions than this. Given North America is a "premiere" market for bikes, the various channels of pressure from already established manufacturers to protect their already financially drought stricken stomping grounds must be considerable.

War is hell is business.

CC

And what about the customers who boght one? If they registered the bikes/ATVs? The authority could revoke the registration?

I think it stopped the import of the units, not pulling existing on shore units back. IIRC, current owners are/were not affected.

CC

I have a 2008 Hensim 250 cruiser style bike registered in Oregon. Before I bought it I looked at the EPA list of approved models and found it was listed. The bike was adjusted very lean and is equipped with catalytic converters so I'd be surprised if it emits much in the way of air pollution.

Q

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Originally Posted by CrazyCarl

I think it stopped the import of the units, not pulling existing on shore units back. IIRC, current owners are/were not affected.

CC

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Each manufacturer submits an application and subsequently can get approval, if that never comes in question as to whether it was a factual submission then it stays legitimate for one year. The certificates are annual they last one year and cover models listed on the application.

If the EPA finds the certificate application was falsified they then can and will revoke it and can fine those listed on the application.

The factory can configure a motorcycle to meet the EPA requirements and once it does it can apply for a certificate and then is granted that for the model year, if the model does not change they then apply for the next year…..

One certificates can cover multiple models if they share the same engine and configuration, but they all have to be conforming in reality, if the EPA finds them not to be the procedure is not pleasant. Fraudulent filings with the federal government is a felony and comes with heavy penalties.

There is no waiting line for EPA testing, its a matter of waiting on a submitted application that is reviewed as in processed. The testing and conforming is the responsibility of the manufacture. The EPA can and does test after the fact and offers access to the test labs as well but they do not have a waiting line and do not require that all models be tested by them.

If model certificates were revoked then that means the EPA tested models and found fraud.

The EPA was no doubt over whelmed with applications from Chinese manufactures, as time goes buy they eventually can and will find fraud in some of those. The Chinese are and did flood the market and in that overwhelmed the regulatory agencies.

When purchasing verify the model VIN and source of it, then check the EPA list. Then check to make sure that manufacturer is registered with the NHSTA as well. Then they also must have the VIN coded correctly as well.

That may seem arduous, but it is not really the information is all online. I did it when I bought mine….people lie when they sell vehicles, who trusts a used car salesman? It's the same scenario as in “Buyer Beware.” that’s common law.

‘Common Law” as in that “ignorance is no excuse for the actual law” as written.

If any manufacturer is not fully within the law then any claims they make on an EPA certificate they filed is suspect. If you see faults and inconsistency then logically you can assume they are not on top of what they are doing…or they are sliding it in under the law.

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Originally Posted by Lefthandy

And what about the customers who boght one? If they registered the bikes/ATVs? The authority could revoke the registration?

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Lefty at the end of the article it appears that the consumers are safe

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Today’s action impacts the companies that manufactured and imported these vehicles. A consumer who owns a model that was covered by these voided certificates is not responsible for these companies’ wrongdoing and can continue to use the vehicle.

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The EPA is the federal government and motor vehicle registration is done within each state(s) government. It is entirely possible for any state to refuse registration of any motor vehicle that does not meet federal regulations. Legally every state has to abide by federal regulation and specifically relating to transportation not doing so could result in that state loosing its federal transportation funding.

I've heard there is a U.S. EPA certified testing lab in Tianjin that the manufacturers use to pass their EPA emissions testing. I/m wondering the this testing lab produced the false readings?

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Originally Posted by Jimbosidecar

I've heard there is a U.S. EPA certified testing lab in Tianjin that the manufacturers use to pass their EPA emissions testing. I/m wondering the this testing lab produced the false readings?

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If true, it could be a case of manufacturers paying for a result they want.

There are a few labs around the US, too, which my guess would provide more realistic results due to legal reasons (i.e., the lab would be sued and/or shut down).

They were all off road vehicles that had their certificates revoked, since certificates are issued from year to year they have or can resubmit them on new models for forthcoming years with complete and accurate information.

All of the vehicles were submitted by a third party consultant “MotorScience Enterprise” all of the vehicles were 2006 and 2007 model years.

So then any inventory from 2006 and 2007 on that list would either have to be sent back or destroyed.

I would say that when you have literally hundreds of version of the exact same thing from hundreds of manufacturers….its likely somebody is going try to pass things through that are not specifically what is approved? The EPA’s claim was that submitted information was false or incomplete.

That is not real hard to fathom is it, information being false and or incomplete is it? Seriously, nearly all the information we see on products is or has varying degrees of false and incomplete specifications.

If the vehicle is not properly documented, then it cannot be properly identified. Not being properly documented is the same as incomplete or false information.

If the model is a 100A and from factory LBC….then it should be easily identified and in that has an EPA certificate. The components all identified and that is what is complete as in complete documentation. In that a list of parts, that being out of 100% maybe 5%- of the total components are related to the EPA as emission control devices.

How can they see it as compliant if they have no way to tell what it is.

I’d say that what some of the Chinese are doing will make the system tougher, the EPA will not just look away they will get tougher and stricter and that will affect all importers.

Having a system that clearly defines all products accurately is the only resolution. The only way to do that is VIN coding. Within a VIN is a model code and that should be present in the EPA list and with specific parts listed and related outputs.

United States Files Lawsuit Against MotorScience, Inc. for Alleged Violations of the Clean Air Act / Complaint claims that more than 24,000 uncertified vehicles were imported into the U.S.


Release date: 09/29/2011