SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today announced that American Suzuki Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan have agreed to a settlement of $3,020,000 to resolve violations of the California Health and Safety Code related to off-highway motorcycles equipped with dual calibrated emissions systems.

Dual calibrations within the emission control system allow motorcycle owners to purchase low-cost aftermarket devices that provide access to alternative engine control programming. This allows greater vehicle performance but also significantly increases smog-forming emissions. Such systems are prohibited by California law if they are undisclosed to ARB prior to the vehicles’ approval for sale and if they are easily accessible by the vehicle owner.

Suzuki officials initially reported this issue to the ARB and fully cooperated with authorities to resolve the matter. This action saved limited state resources and resulted in a swifter and more complete elimination of excess emissions. As a result, this agreement provides for suspension of $1,812,000 of the total penalty provided that Suzuki does not produce vehicles with undisclosed calibrations for a period of two years and completes two vehicle emission reduction programs designed to offset the additional pollution of the dual calibrated vehicles.

Funds collected under the settlement will be paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, established to support air quality research.

Off-highway vehicles that do not meet California's emission requirements pose a real danger to California residents. They create higher amounts of smog-forming pollutants, which can then exacerbate respiratory ailments and negatively affect other health conditions such as shortness of breath, headaches, birth defects, cancer or damage to internal organs.