Saw this thread on SVTperformance. Here is the OP:
That’s because they’re small companies and don’t have a big lobby to defend them.
Didn’t people want to sue gun manufacturers and they were held non-accountable for how their product was used (i.e. they couldn’t be responsible if one of their buyers bought their gun and went out to kill someone).
It’s the same principle here. These tuners make a product that can be used legally (on the track) or illegally (on the street) just like a gun can be used legally (at a shooting range or hunting during permitted seasons) or illegally.
It’s always the same. Go after the little guys that don’t have the money to defend themselves, i.e. bullying.
Pretty neat. Stupid though.
If you are advertising with off road purposes only warnings, as everyone does, there should be no liability.
I believe Lethal Performance, one of the biggest companies for parts and tuning was attacked by the EPA for their off road x pipes and headers and they were able to prove in court that every customer was made aware that the product they were buying was for off road use only. So the EPA had to back off.
LethalP is a big company so they can afford the court costs. Small companies can’t so the get smothered.
EPA just wants the money. The smaller than 1% of people deleting the cars or DPF on their cars aren’t doing much harm. I have never been one to complain about how the government wants to run everything, but drowning small business is a little absurd
Edit: it was Jeg’s and Summit racing that the EPA went after. Not LethalP
Same thing in Europe: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/60092/modified-cars-could-face-mot-fail
Whilst it was a PITA in the UK to get a roadworthiness and emissions test annually in the UK (aka the “MOT”), you could still modify your car’s exhaust/tune etc… As long as it proved it was safe and emissions clean, then you could drive it on public roads.
This EPA cash grab is only valid if they go after everybody. I mean modifying exhaust systems on cars is pretty common!
Wow that’s kind of reaching for the stars. Especially if cars are passing emissions with these offending parts installed.
I’m surprised they haven’t sicked SEMA on the government yet.
California is weird though… No modification to exhaust at all is allowed, whether it can sneak by admissions or not.
They’re adopting a really easy to beat new obd o ly emissions test so this is likely step one to beef that up. Costs less…and may generate state revenue in fines.
Phil Mickelson who makes fifty million dollars a year is paying over 60% income tax in California… and is considering leaving as a result. The state is desperate for money.
is that in total (federal and state)? sounds like they added a millionares bracket, at least here in MA its 5.5% for everyone across the board
total
Mass is fed +that 5.5… So for a big earner about 46% + social security and unemployment etc.