This case addresses violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda), a subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Ltd. Between August 1, 2003 and January 31, 2008, Honda imported approximately 437,000 nonroad engines which were not equipped with the air intake box and/or muffler required by the engines' EPA issued certificate of conformity. At least approximately 4,400 of the non-conforming engines reached end users with the
incorrect air intake assembly installed; these engines emitted and will continue to emit nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in excess of regulatory standards unless corrected.
As part of the settlement with EPA, Honda has agreed to pay a $580,000 civil penalty to the US Treasury. Honda will also retire 55 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) plus non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) from Honda's Averaging Banking and Trading account in compensation to the United States for the excess pollution generated by the installation of the improper air boxes.