With fluctuating fuel prices and mounting environmental concerns, fuel economy has moved to the top of most consumers’ shopping lists. But apparently Mercedes-Benz hasn’t received that message yet as the German automaker has been fined the second highest amount ever for violating federal fuel economy regulations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration handed down $28.9 million in fines to Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday for violating federal fuel economy standards. The former DaimlerChrysler holds the record for the highest amount ever fined — $30.3 million in 2007 – which was largely due to Mercedes’ imported passenger car vehicles.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the NHTSA raked in $37 million in fuel economy fines in 2008 from six different automakers. Mercedes’ contributions were clearly the biggest chunk of that total, 78 percent to be exact, with Volkswagen’s fines coming in at second on the list with $4.5 million in fines.
Although some top end manufacturers consider CAFE fines just a part of normal business operations, that attitude will likely change in the coming years. Fuel economy standards are slated to increase by 25 percent over the next six years, which means fines will be going up as well – making it all that much harder to hide the fines in new car prices.
01/08, 3:58 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
MB should be an exception because i bet people who look at Mercedes don’t really look at the mpg it gets unless they are looking at the c-class.
01/08, 4:00 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Secomd highest CAFE ratings offset the lowest reliability scores perfectly
01/08, 4:14 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM is an idiot
Where is the stats for mercedes low reliabilty?? Try harder idiot
01/08, 4:25 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Why should anyone be surprised? They managed to suck the life out of Chrysler therefore sucking fuel should be a walk in the park.
01/08, 4:30 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Look at Consumer Reports. Mercedes ranks lower than Buick, not surprisingly.
01/08, 4:41 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
****Dear Internet lurkers****
If you have stumbled on to this site and found yourself reading about this Mercedes and it’s gas guzzling traits, do yourself a favor and check out the new Buick Enclave or GMC Acadia SUV. You’ll be doing yourself and America a big deservice by not doing so
01/08, 5:02 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM is an idiot
Buick is garbage
01/08, 5:15 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
NMOFG, i thought you were in love with buick? why are you now stating “Mercedes ranks lower than Buick, not surprisingly. ” i thought you said that buick was better than infiniti?? cuz infiniti is way more reliable than mercedes
01/08, 5:28 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM is an idiot
I think need more oil for gm is bob lutz
01/08, 7:23 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Comes from thinking a 6.3L V8 is the answer to all the performance questions of the world. Mercedes-Benz needs a clue.
01/08, 8:29 PM
posted by:
EEAlex
Madcapp, thank god someone sees eye to eye with me! You hear that MB, DON’T GET RID OF THE BITURBO V12!!!
Seriously, as a Benz owner, a big ole yawn. Don’t change a thing Benz, cause none of us owners really care!
01/08, 10:39 PM
posted by:
S1L1SC
And this is part of the reason why I can’t stand big government – instead of fining the manufacturers, government should be fining the end users through higher gas prices – the auto manufacturers will adjust their offerings if no one buys their gas guzzlers & those of us that can afford the gas can still drive what they want.
01/09, 1:06 AM
posted by:
mr_hunter
Madcapp
it’s not a 6.3 liter V8 it’s really a 6.2 liter but they call the car’s E, C, etc 63 AMG’s to pay homage to some MB from 20, 30 years ago. Just as Chevrolet calls the Z06 engine a 427 (Vettes from the 1960′a) when in it’s actually a 428.
01/09, 1:09 AM
posted by:
mr_hunter
excuse the typoes please