Lewis Motors/Miniguy Settlement
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$16,000 in Fines Paid by Lewis Motors/Miniguy
On September 18, 2006, the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Ventura awarded a stipulated judgment of $16,000 in favor of the Air Resources Board against Lewis Motors/Miniguy (Miniguy). During 2003, and prior, Miniguy sold and offered for sale direct import pre-1975 Mini Coopers that did not comply with ARB regulations applicable to such vehicles to California residents. Direct import vehicles are light-duty motor vehicles manufactured outside of the United States that were not intended by the manufacturer for sale in the United States and that were not certified by the ARB. Direct import vehicles are not designed to meet California or U.S.E.P.A. emission standards. Special statutory exemptions allow direct import vehicles to be registered and used in California after they have been modified and laboratory tested. Miniguy did not modify the vehicles to meet California emission standards nor did the company have the vehicles go through the required laboratory testing. Miniguy violated California's motor vehicle air pollution control laws and acts of false advertising and unfair competition. The settlement payment of $16,000 was received from Miniguy.