DaimlerChrysler gets record fuel economy fine

Mercedes-Benz cars draw $30.3 million penalty for violating fuel economy standards.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — DaimlerChrysler has been hit with the largest fine ever assessed against any company for violating fuel economy standards set by the federal government.

The automaker was split into two companies last year when its Chrysler division was purchased by a private equity firm.


The fine of $30,257,920 was assessed for 2006 model year imported passenger cars. That means the fine was assessed almost entirely against the company’s Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. The only imported car sold as a Chrysler was the German-built Crossfire sports car.

For the 2006 model year, the average fuel economy of passenger cars imported by DaimlerChrysler – as measured for “corporate average fuel economy,” or CAFE, purposes – was 24.8 miles per gallon. The government requires an average of 27.5 mpg.

The fine for violating CAFE standards is $5.50 for ever tenth of a mile under the 27.5 mpg goal, multiplied by the number of vehicles imported. The record fine is nearly double the $16,895,472 the company had to pay for the 2005 model year.

CNNMoney.com