Cobb settlement with EPA

[svvitch]

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/un...cobb-tuning-products-clean-air-act-violations

In addition to requiring COBB to pay a civil penalty of more than $2.9 million, the settlement agreement requires the company to:

• Remove delete features from its software.
• Destroy violative products still in its inventory.
• Cease providing technical support or honoring warranty claims for previously sold violative products.
• Revise its marketing materials.
• Notify the customers that purchased the subject parts that the products at issue violate the Clean Air Act.
• Conduct compliance training for its employees and contractors.

I wonder which company is next?

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[svvitch]

Statement from Cobb tuning

https://www.cobbtuning.com/cobb-tuning-enters-into-settlement-agreement-with-the-epa/

 

[edido]

Didn't they get to this point because some of their products claim to be 50 states compliant including CARB? Likely some of their products/claims were challenged.

 

[COBB Tuning]

We encourage everyone to read our formal press release linked here (and above). Long story short, this is a formality at this point. The entirety of our Honda tuning platform has been developed within these guidelines. Nothing is changing with the Accessport, Accessport functionality, or our product catalog. We’re excited to move forward and focus on the development of both existing and future platforms.

cobb-tuning-enters-into-settlement-agreement-with-the-epa-announcement

Didn't they get to this point because some of their products claim to be 50 states compliant including CARB? Likely some of their products/claims were challenged.

It doesn't, this stems from products offered back in 2017.

Marshall@COBB

 

[Vito.FL5]

We encourage everyone to read our formal press release linked here (and above). Long story short, this is a formality at this point. The entirety of our Honda tuning platform has been developed within these guidelines. Nothing is changing with the Accessport, Accessport functionality, or our product catalog. We’re excited to move forward and focus on the development of both existing and future platforms.

cobb-tuning-enters-into-settlement-agreement-with-the-epa-announcement



It doesn't, this stems from products offered back in 2017.

Marshall@COBB

I heard the word COBB about a million times this week.

2.9 mil advertisement.

Either way it feels like EPA is trying to scam people out of their money.

Of course you cant comment on that but let´s just consider it a very expensive marketing campaing lol

 

[svvitch]

2.9m fine. I can't imagine the costs getting to that point

 

[optronix]

This topic probably warrants some deeper research. Basically, our environment is going to shit and the EPA is doing something about it, although we as automotive enthusiasts are probably not going to agree with it.

To be clear, that something is going after tuning companies and even individual privately-owned shops that install products from said tuning companies, and levying huge fines and cease and desist orders. Cobb is absolutely not the only company being targeted by this effort.

Personally, I place the blame solely on the "coal-roller" crowd.

Good article that provides a good amount more perspective (gated behind R&T's "5 article rule"):

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a40849184/inside-a-tuning-shop-when-the-epa-comes-knocking/

 

[WOPSiWOT]

I heard the word COBB about a million times this week.

2.9 mil advertisement.

Either way it feels like EPA is trying to scam people out of their money.

Of course you cant comment on that but let´s just consider it a very expensive marketing campaing lol

$2.9 million seems like a pretty light fine TBH. Either that or COBB is a smaller company than I imagined. Maybe both. Good marketing opportunity, agree. Scamming out of money, yeah not so sure about that. Selling “race use only” parts for obvious street car application. That is a business model knowingly based on zero enforcement of long-standing laws. Good deal if you can get it. I imagine COBB made a lot more than $2.9 million doing so.

 

[Vito.FL5]

$2.9 million seems like a pretty light fine TBH. Either that or COBB is a smaller company than I imagined. Maybe both. Good marketing opportunity, agree. Scamming out of money, yeah not so sure about that. Selling “race use only” parts for obvious street car application. That is a business model knowingly based on zero enforcement of long-standing laws. Good deal if you can get it. I imagine COBB made a lot more than $2.9 million doing so.

Well, you can use a gun to protect your home or to shoot people in their face. It´s up to you and the gun manufacturer should not be guilty of this.

It´s the same on this subject.

 

[WOPSiWOT]

Well, you can use a gun to protect your home or to shoot people in their face. It´s up to you and the gun manufacturer should not be guilty of this.

It´s the same on this subject.

Not … at all? Or maybe kinda, but in the opposite way you think.

 

[optronix]

$2.9 million seems like a pretty light fine TBH. Either that or COBB is a smaller company than I imagined. Maybe both. Good marketing opportunity, agree. Scamming out of money, yeah not so sure about that. Selling “race use only” parts for obvious street car application. That is a business model knowingly based on zero enforcement of long-standing laws. Good deal if you can get it. I imagine COBB made a lot more than $2.9 million doing so.

I won't venture to guess just how much they profited, but I can't imagine Cobb as some gigantic corporation that can just shrug off a $2.9M fine. That has got to sting.

Well, you can use a gun to protect your home or to shoot people in their face. It´s up to you and the gun manufacturer should not be guilty of this.

It´s the same on this subject.

Yeah, I'm not following your point here. Possibly you could go down the whole "military vs civilian use" angle but it's still a loose connection at best. Not to mention extremely politically charged but I guess environmental stuff is too.

 

[Vito.FL5]

As someone from a third world country I reject all sorts of government control on every subject. i know where this is going.

 

[optronix]

As someone from a third world country I reject all sorts of government control on every subject. i know where this is going.

Context is important, and I can see your point.

But that said, it doesn't take an environmental scientist with a PHD to understand how fucked up it is to see some idiot in his diesel Brodozer spewing gigantic clouds of black smoke in everyone's faces. Something needs to be fucking done about that.

 

[Vito.FL5]

yes but the next step is a complete ban on street car based motorsports. I believe it´s even on the EPA´s to-do list.

 

[optronix]

yes but the next step is a complete ban on street car based motorsports. I believe it´s even on the EPA´s to-do list.

That's commonly referred to as "jumping to conclusions".

My guess is there will be at least a few steps in between... especially considering as much political headwind there is in this country to get ANYTHING accomplished at all.

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