APC fined $650,000 for not complying with DOT regulations...

[chokudoriS13]

Read the NHTSA bulletin here:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/annou...e=pr21-03.html

Today's Los Angeles Times article

"Auto Products Wholesaler Fined $650,000
By John O'Dell, Times Staff Writer
A Southland auto accessories company has been fined $650,000 for selling thousands of substandard taillight assemblies popular with younger motorists, federal regulators said Friday.

American Products Co. of Corona is a major wholesale supplier of customizing and performance products to retailers including Pep Boys, Auto Zone and JCWhitney.com.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said late Friday that American Products had sold various models of replacement taillights with clear lenses or lens covers that failed to comply with federal safety standards.

American Products President Brian Torres said the $140-million-a-year company was targeted by regulators because it's the largest in a rapidly growing field. Some of the products were purchased from overseas suppliers, he said, and others "were manufactured under our interpretation" of regulations "that are 20 and 30 years old. Unfortunately, NHTSA challenged those interpretations."

In its statement, NHTSA said some of the company's taillight models were missing required side marker lamps or reflectors, and others replaced red lamps and reflectors with clear ones. In most cases, state and federal regulations require red automotive taillights.

American Products also sold "other noncompliant replacement lighting equipment" including clear corner and bumper lenses and kits to convert stock headlamps to brighter high-intensity discharge lamp systems, the agency said.

NHTSA said it has ordered recalls of thousands of American Products parts since 1999.

Information about the recalls can be found online at http://www.nhtsa.gov . Motorists with questions can call NHTSA's toll-free hotline, (888) 327-4236.

Although I don't think $650,000 really hurts a $140 million a year company .
_______

[NZO]

Still, the message has been sent.

[DRFT]

good....this'll teach APC a lesson in not selling ghey tail lights


APC = A=A
P=Piece

of

C= crap

A Piece of Crap!

[silviaparts.com]

but don't all their products say "for off road use only"? If so, how could they get fined?

[Chernobyl]

Serves those bastards right for selling rice! My friend's sister works for an automotive lighting manufacturer and always rags on APC lights, going over all the ways that they are not DOT compliant. I'm not surprised, and I think the fine should have been greater as well. Have you seen the APC sales reps on that stupid HighRevTuners show? I can't believe those idiots make so much money off accessories that don't do ANYTHING! On the other hand, maybe they are not idiots after all... sad truth. If I ever get an IS300 (I've considered it for a future car), I'm going to get the tails done in pure red, so I don't look like a ricer.

Sorry for the rant, I hate APC with a passion.

[TheTimanator]

best news I've heard all week
on the other hand, considering how big the company has gotten...$650,000 may just be pocket change oh well

[AKADriver]

As much as I dislike aftermarket "meatball"/"Altezza" taillights, as a car enthusiast with scads of non-NHTSA/EPA approved parts on my cars, this worries me.

Silvia headlights, clear sidemarkers, manual seat belts in an S13, non-airbag steering wheels in an S14, body kits that require removal or modification of bumper beams... these are all illegal according to the NHTSA and the people that sell them are subject to the same fines.