EPA Stops Import of Some China-made ATVs
July 2, 2010 by J-Rod
Over the last six to 10 years, we’ve seen more and more small ATV and motorcycle brands (often made in China) show up here in the United States. Many look rather decent, but have neither the dealership network, manufacturer support nor the financial stability to deserve a “stable” rating from off-road consumers and investors. Yet, still we see them enter the country and watch as consumer plunk down their hard-earned money for one, thinking they have a deal. The major ATV and motorcycle manufacturers have called for stricter import regulations for years and have received some help. Then there’s this news … which makes one even more leery of buying a non-familiar and unproven brand…
Wednesday, the U.S. Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has withdrawn its approval of the import and sale of up to 200,000 gas-powered off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. The EPA reports faulty numbers for the machines’ tailpipe emissions. The withdrawal means the EPA says these models don’t conform to the its ATV emissions testing regulations and the original reported emissions stats could have been falsified to meet approval. “This is the first time EPA has voided certificates of conformity for these types of vehicles and only the second time the agency has done so for any type of vehicle,” said the EPA release. This infraction could also lead to “significant financial penalties” for both the manufacturers and importing companies, according to the EPA.
The violating companies include:
U.S. counterparts of four of China’s largest manufacturers of these types of vehicles: Hensim USA (City of Industry, Calif.), Loncin USA (Hayward, Calif.), Peace Industry Group (Norcross, Ga.), and Seaseng (Pomona, Calif.).
The Chinese manufacturers are Chongqing Hensim Group Co., Chongqing Longting Power Equipment Co., Zhejiang Peace Industry and Trade Co., and Zhejiang Chisheng Industry and Trading Co.
Click here to read the entire EPA news release:
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