Compliance Radar
Who was sanctioned, and for what?
Fines, court rulings and incidents from Europe and North America: 756 cases from 32 jurisdictions, each with an official source and checked against that source before publication. Filter by country, area of law and sector. Click a chart to drill down one level.
Click a bar to drill down one level.
Where?
by regionAll jurisdictions
What for?
by area of lawAll areas of law
- Environment and sustainability €4.2bn 87 % · 8 cases
- Competition law €546.6m 11 % · 7 cases
- Sanctions and export control €56.2m 1 % · 3 cases
- Capital markets and financial supervision €24m 0 % · 2 cases
- Data protection €722,653 0 % · 3 cases
- Money laundering and terrorist financing €12,866 0 % · 1 case
- Supply chain and human rights — 0 % · 1 case
Who?
by company- Cummins Inc. €1.53bn 32 % · 1 case
- Hino Motors, Ltd. €1.48bn 31 % · 1 case
- Hino Motors, Ltd.; Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.; Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc. €1.02bn 21 % · 1 case
- BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Opel/GM, Renault/Nissan, Stellantis, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, ACEA (Mercedes-Benz Kronzeuge) €457.9m 9 % · 1 case
- Volvo Group North America, LLC €168.7m 3 % · 1 case
- Exide, FET (inkl. Elettra), Rombat, EUROBAT (Clarios Kronzeuge) €72m 1 % · 1 case
- Robert Bosch GmbH €31.2m 1 % · 1 case
- Hyzon Motors Inc. €23.9m 0 % · 1 case
- Autohandel aus dem Landkreis Miltenberg (Inhaber Andreas M.) €20m 0 % · 1 case
- Maxxis International GmbH, Best4Tires Berlin GmbH, Reifen Müller GmbH & Co. KG €11.9m 0 % · 1 case
- 15 more€22.3m
When?
per quarter, by date of decision| Period | Cases | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2023 | 1 | €23.9m |
| Q4 2023 | 0 | — |
| Q1 2024 | 1 | €1.53bn |
| Q2 2024 | 1 | €12,866 |
| Q3 2024 | 3 | €12.3m |
| Q4 2024 | 1 | — |
| Q1 2025 | 3 | €2.49bn |
| Q2 2025 | 1 | €457.9m |
| Q3 2025 | 1 | €5m |
| Q4 2025 | 5 | €76.1m |
| Q1 2026 | 5 | €20.4m |
| Q2 2026 | 2 | €199.9m |
| Q3 2026 | 1 | €11.9m |
25 cases
10 Jan 2024 Cummins Inc.Cummins: 1.675 billion USD civil penalty for defeat devices in Ram pickups €1.53bn
The engine manufacturer programmed the engine software so that emission controls were reduced or switched off during normal driving (around 630,000 Ram 2500/3500 vehicles from model years 2013–2019) and failed to disclose auxiliary emission control devices in a further approximately 330,000 vehicles. Civil penalty of 1.675 billion USD – the highest ever under the Clean Air Act – plus recall and mitigation measures, totalling around 2 billion USD.
Software functions that affect emissions behaviour must be fully disclosed in the type approval process.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. District Court, District of Columbia)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Clean Air Act
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Employees
- 10,000 or more
Original amount 1,675,000,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 10 Jan 2024.
- 2024 Cummins Inc. Vehicle Emission Control Violations Settlement Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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21 Jul 2026 Maxxis International GmbH, Best4Tires Berlin GmbH, Reifen Müller GmbH & Co. KGBundeskartellamt: 11.9 million EUR over resale price maintenance in tyre distribution (Maxxis/CST) €11.9m
Maxxis guaranteed wholesalers fixed margins per tyre sold of the Maxxis and CST brands, monitored prices in particular on the Tyre24 platform and intervened when prices were too low. Germany's Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) imposed fines totalling 11.9 million EUR on three companies and one responsible individual.
Margin guarantees and price controls vis-à-vis dealers constitute prohibited resale price maintenance – sales teams need clear rules for price discussions.
Influencing resale prices and price monitoring on platforms
- Authority / court
- Bundeskartellamt
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- § 1 GWB (vertikale Preisbindung)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Mitigating circumstances
- Settlement with Maxxis and Reifen Müller
- Liability of senior managers
- Fine imposed on one responsible natural person (not named)
- Published
- 21 Jul 2026
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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16 Jun 2026 Robert Bosch GmbHBosch pays 36 million USD for sensor supplies to Huawei €31.2m
Between September 2020 and September 2024, Bosch exported MEMS sensors and vehicle software worth around 72.4 million USD from outside the US without a licence to Huawei and affiliated companies on the Entity List (Foreign Direct Product Rule). Bosch voluntarily disclosed the violations; around 3.6 million USD of the penalty imposed by the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is credited against a disgorgement agreed with the DOJ.
Even products manufactured outside the US can be subject to US export controls via US technology – supplies to Entity List customers need their own review.
US export law for foreign-made products (Foreign Direct Product Rule)
- Authority / court
- U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
- Area of law
- Sanctions and export control · Export control and dual-use goods
- Legal basis
- Export Administration Regulations (Foreign Direct Product Rule, Entity List)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Employees
- 10,000 or more
- Mitigating circumstances
- Voluntary self-disclosure and cooperation
- Published
- 17 Jun 2026
Original amount 36,184,680 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 16 Jun 2026.
- BIS: Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch) to Pay $36 Million Penalty for BIS Violations Pertaining to Shipments to Huawei (17.06.2026) Press release of an authority
- BIS Order Relating to Robert Bosch GmbH (16.06.2026) Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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18 May 2026 Volvo Group North America, LLCVolvo Group North America: settlement of around 197 million USD over undisclosed emission control devices €168.7m
Around 10,000 heavy-duty Volvo diesel engines from model years 2010 to 2016 used auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs) that were not disclosed during certification and emitted more NOx than permitted. The settlement with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) comprises 17.5 million USD in penalties and costs, 71 million USD for mitigation measures and 108 million USD for emission reduction projects in California.
Every emissions-relevant control function must be fully disclosed in the certification application; otherwise high settlement payments may follow years later.
- Authority / court
- California Air Resources Board (CARB)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Kalifornische Emissions- und Zertifizierungsvorschriften für schwere Nutzfahrzeugmotoren
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Employees
- 10,000 or more
- Mitigating circumstances
- Cooperation during the investigation; recall and extended warranty for engines from model years 2014 to 2016.
- Published
- 18 May 2026
Original amount 196,500,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 18 May 2026.
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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25 Mar 2026 RENAULT COMMERCIAL ROUMANIE S.R.L.Cyber attack via service provider – Renault Commercial Roumanie pays 125,000 EUR €125,083
In an attack on an application operated by a processor, data of a very large number of persons (including personal identification numbers, driving licence and identity card numbers, vehicle identification numbers) were stolen and published. The Romanian data protection authority (ANSPDCP) criticised the lack of security measures and effectiveness testing as well as the selection of a service provider without sufficient guarantees and imposed 637,262.50 lei (125,000 EUR).
Responsibility for customer data does not end with the service provider – check its security guarantees in advance and monitor them continuously.
- Authority / court
- Autoritatea Națională de Supraveghere a Prelucrării Datelor cu Caracter Personal (ANSPDCP)
- Area of law
- Data protection · Data processors
- Legal basis
- Art. 32 Abs. 1 lit. b und d, Abs. 2 i. V. m. Art. 28 Abs. 1 DSGVO
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Published
- 25 Mar 2026
Original amount 637,262.5 RON, converted at the ECB reference rate of 25 Mar 2026.
- ANSPDCP – Comunicat de presă 25.03.2026 (RENAULT COMMERCIAL ROUMANIE S.R.L.) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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4 Mar 2026 Schaeffler AGSchaeffler: deviation of quarterly figures from market expectations disclosed too late €180,000
The automotive supplier's business figures for the first quarter of 2024 deviated significantly from market expectations; this inside information was not disclosed without delay by means of an ad hoc announcement. BaFin imposed a fine.
Make a comparison of internal figures with the analyst consensus a fixed part of the quarterly process, so that significant deviations are immediately assessed for ad hoc disclosure obligations.
Recognising inside information in deviations from market expectations (controlling/IR)
- Authority / court
- Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin)
- Area of law
- Capital markets and financial supervision · Disclosure and reporting obligations
- Legal basis
- Art. 17 Abs. 1 UAbs. 1 MAR
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Published
- 26 Mar 2026
- Schaeffler AG: BaFin setzt Geldbuße fest Decision of an authority
- Bekanntmachung der BaFin zur Schaeffler AG (Maßnahmenansicht mit Rechtskraftvermerk) Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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2 Mar 2026 Autohandel aus dem Landkreis Miltenberg (Inhaber Andreas M.)Six years' imprisonment for car dealer: 111 luxury vehicles to Russia despite embargo €20m
A car dealer from the Bavarian Lower Main region specialising in armoured and luxury vehicles brought 111 vehicles worth almost 20 million EUR to Russia, and around 400 further vehicles were planned. The white-collar crime chamber of the Würzburg Regional Court (Landgericht Würzburg) sentenced the owner to six years' imprisonment and the former authorised signatory (Prokuristin) to two years suspended, and ordered the confiscation of around 20 million EUR; the judgment is not final.
Bans on luxury goods to Russia are enforced with long prison sentences and confiscation of assets; authorised signatories are also personally liable.
- Authority / court
- Landgericht Würzburg (Wirtschaftsstrafkammer); Ermittlungen Zollfahndungsamt Essen und Staatsanwaltschaft Würzburg
- Area of law
- Sanctions and export control · Breaches of sanctions and embargoes
- Legal basis
- Außenwirtschaftsgesetz i. V. m. Russland-Embargoverordnung (EU) Nr. 833/2014 (gewerbsmäßig)
- Action
- Custodial sentence
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Culpability
- intentional
- Liability of senior managers
- Owner (Andreas M.) six years' imprisonment; former authorised signatory (Inna W.) two years suspended.
- Published
- 2 Mar 2026
- Zollfahndungsamt Essen: Sechs Jahre Haft für Embargoverstoß mit Luxusautos (02.03.2026) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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12 Feb 2026 UAB „Manado“, MB „Parts ready“Manado and Parts ready: cartel in Vilnius public transport spare parts tender €41,080
In two tenders by ‘Vilniaus viešasis transportas’ for vehicle spare parts (May–October 2025), the dealers coordinated bids and prices, wrote the bids for each other and sent them from the same computer. The contracting entity reported the suspicion. Following acknowledgement (minus 15%), fines of 17,950 EUR (Manado) and 23,130 EUR (Parts ready). Source: archived copy of the press release.
Even jointly prepared bids by small dealers are a cartel – and contracting entities increasingly recognise such patterns.
Competition law in tenders
- Authority / court
- Konkurencijos taryba (Litauischer Wettbewerbsrat)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Konkurencijos įstatymas (verbotene Vereinbarungen)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Mitigating circumstances
- Acknowledgement of the infringement (15% reduction)
- Published
- 12 Feb 2026
- Konkurencijos taryba, Pranešimas 2026-02-12 (Archivkopie web.archive.org von kt.gov.lt) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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19 Jan 2026 Continental Automotive Products SRLExcel list with sick notes circulated internally – Continental Automotive pays 15,000 EUR €14,997
An Excel file containing data from medical certificates of current and former employees was repeatedly circulated within the company; the company reported the incident itself. The Romanian data protection authority (ANSPDCP) imposed 25,455 lei (5,000 EUR) for breach of data minimisation and accountability and 50,911 lei (10,000 EUR) for insufficient security measures and ordered a monitoring and control procedure. Date = publication of the press release; according to the authority, the investigation was concluded in the previous month.
Employees’ health data do not belong in freely forwarded Excel lists – HR departments need fixed access limits.
Handling employees’ health data, e-mail distribution lists
- Authority / court
- Autoritatea Națională de Supraveghere a Prelucrării Datelor cu Caracter Personal (ANSPDCP)
- Area of law
- Data protection · Employee data
- Legal basis
- Art. 5 Abs. 1 lit. c und Abs. 2, Art. 32 Abs. 1 lit. b und Abs. 2 DSGVO
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Published
- 19 Jan 2026
Original amount 76,366 RON, converted at the ECB reference rate of 19 Jan 2026.
- ANSPDCP – Comunicat de presă 19.01.2026 (Continental Automotive Products SRL) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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18 Dec 2025 Linglong International Europe D.O.O. ZrenjaninCBP import stop for tyres from Linglong's plant in Serbia Order
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order: car tyres from Linglong International Europe D.O.O. Zrenjanin (Serbia) are being detained at all US ports of entry because there are indications of forced labour (ILO indicators including deception, debt bondage, isolation, retention of identity documents and withholding of wages (nine indicators in total)).
Automotive suppliers should specifically audit recruitment, accommodation and the safekeeping of identity documents at plants with recruited migrant workers.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Area of law
- Supply chain and human rights · Forced and child labour
- Legal basis
- 19 U.S.C. § 1307 (Tariff Act of 1930, Section 307)
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Published
- 18 Dec 2025
- CBP issues Withhold Release Order on Linglong International Europe D.O.O. Zrenjanin Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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16 Dec 2025 A AG / V-Konzern (in der amtlichen Mitteilung anonymisiert)BGH: fraud convictions of former managers in diesel scandal final Custodial sentence
The Munich II Regional Court (Landgericht München II) had sentenced a head of department in diesel engine development and a former head of powertrain development for fraud in 94,924 cases to one year and nine months and two years respectively, and the former CEO of A AG for fraud in 17,177 cases to one year and nine months, in each case suspended on probation. They were responsible for unlawful defeat devices or failed to intervene despite having knowledge of them; the loss to buyers amounted to around 2.32 billion EUR. Germany's Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof, BGH) dismissed the appeals on points of law (1 StR 270/24).
Board members who learn of defeat devices and do not act commit a criminal offence themselves – indications of rule violations must immediately lead to investigation and information for customers.
Dealing with non-compliant instructions in development and the duty to intervene
- Authority / court
- Bundesgerichtshof (1. Strafsenat); Vorinstanz Landgericht München II (Urteil vom 27.06.2023)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- § 263 StGB (Betrug); unzulässige Abschalteinrichtungen nach US- und EU-Zulassungsrecht
- Action
- Custodial sentence
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Culpability
- intentional
- Mitigating circumstances
- Prison sentences suspended on probation in each case.
- Liability of senior managers
- Those convicted were a head of department (P.), a former head of powertrain development and later board member (H.), and the former CEO of A AG (S.), who took no action despite the serious possibility of further defeat devices.
- Published
- 19 Dec 2025
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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15 Dec 2025 Exide, FET (inkl. Elettra), Rombat, EUROBAT (Clarios Kronzeuge)EU: 72 million EUR against starter battery manufacturers and the association EUROBAT €72m
From 2005 to 2017, the manufacturers of automotive starter batteries agreed, with the help of the association EUROBAT, to publish jointly calculated lead surcharges (EUROBAT premiums) and to use them in price negotiations with carmakers. Fines: Exide 30 million EUR, Rombat 20.218 million EUR, Elettra 15.594 million EUR, FET 6.11 million EUR, EUROBAT 125,000 EUR; Clarios escaped a fine as leniency applicant.
Suppliers may pass on raw material surcharges individually, but must never fix them in an industry-wide coordinated manner via association indices.
Joint raw material surcharges among competitors via association indices
- Authority / court
- Europäische Kommission
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. 101 AEUV, Art. 53 EWR-Abkommen
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Mitigating circumstances
- Leniency programme (Clarios 100 %, FET 50 %, Rombat 30 %); reduction for inability to pay for one company; payment in instalments
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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5 Dec 2025 Volvo Hungária Kereskedelmi és Szolgáltató Kft.; Seres Gépipari Kereskedelmi Kft.; GIF Modul Kft.; Interteher Kft.; Eurotrade Kft.; He Hans Eibinger Kft. (MUT Kft. ohne Buße nach Entschädigung)Refuse vehicle cartel: over 1.5 billion HUF, of which 270 million for obstructing the inspection €4.06m
In 2014–2015, chassis and body manufacturers allocated contracts and submitted cover bids in tenders for refuse collection and sewer cleaning vehicles. The Gazdasági Versenyhivatal (Hungarian Competition Authority, GVH) imposed cartel fines of 1,278.4 million HUF (of which 972.9 million on Volvo Hungária) and, in addition, a record procedural fine of 270 million HUF on Volvo Hungária for obstructing access to data secured during the inspection.
Regular meetings on ‘capacity planning’ with competitors are cartel evidence – and obstructing an inspection costs extra.
Bid rigging and conduct during inspections
- Authority / court
- Gazdasági Versenyhivatal (GVH)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Ungarisches Wettbewerbsgesetz, Art. 101 AEUV (Submissionsabsprachen, Verfahrensbuße; VJ/30/2018)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Culpability
- intentional
- Mitigating circumstances
- Admissions and leniency applications by most participants; MUT paid 116 million HUF in compensation to contracting authorities.
- Published
- 5 Dec 2025
Original amount 1,548,400,000 HUF, converted at the ECB reference rate of 5 Dec 2025.
- Kukásautó-kartellt tárt fel a GVH Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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14 Nov 2025 Valvoline Inc. und Greenbriar Equity Fund V, L.P.Valvoline/Greenbriar: FTC requires sale of 45 quick oil change shops Order
Valvoline wanted to acquire around 200 Oil Changers shops from Greenbriar for 625 million USD. Because the two competed directly in 25 local markets, under the proposed consent order the acquisition may only be completed if 45 shops are sold to Main Street Auto.
For branch networks too, the competition authority examines each local market individually – map overlaps before the deal.
- Authority / court
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Merger control
- Legal basis
- Section 7 Clayton Act; Section 5 FTC Act (Consent Order)
- Action
- Order
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- FTC Requires Divestiture of Oil Change Shops in Valvoline-Greenbriar Deal (14.11.2025) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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8 Jul 2025 Freies Autohaus aus Lohra (Inhaber nicht genannt)Five years' imprisonment for smuggling 71 luxury cars to Russia €5m
The person responsible for an independent car dealership sold 71 luxury vehicles with a value of goods of around 5 million EUR to Russia, feigning lawful exports to third countries. Following investigations by the Frankfurt am Main public prosecutor's office and the Essen customs investigation office, the Marburg Regional Court (Landgericht Marburg) imposed five years' imprisonment and ordered the confiscation of around 5 million EUR; the judgment is not final.
Feigned exports to third countries are exposed through customs data and payment flows – confiscation covers the entire value of the goods.
- Authority / court
- Landgericht Marburg; Ermittlungen Staatsanwaltschaft Frankfurt am Main und Zollfahndungsamt Essen
- Area of law
- Sanctions and export control · Breaches of sanctions and embargoes
- Legal basis
- Außenwirtschaftsgesetz i. V. m. Verordnung (EU) Nr. 833/2014 (Luxusgüterverbot)
- Action
- Custodial sentence
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Culpability
- intentional
- Liability of senior managers
- The person responsible for the car dealership was personally sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
- Published
- 11 Jul 2025
- Zollfahndungsamt Essen: Fünf Jahre Haft für Embargoverstöße mit Luxusautos (11.07.2025) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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1 Apr 2025 BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Opel/GM, Renault/Nissan, Stellantis, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, ACEA (Mercedes-Benz Kronzeuge)EU: 458 million EUR against carmakers and ACEA over end-of-life vehicle recycling cartel €457.9m
The Commission imposed fines of around 458 million EUR on 15 carmakers and the association ACEA. From 2002 to 2017, they had agreed not to pay dismantlers for recycling end-of-life vehicles and not to advertise recycling rates or recycled content; ACEA organised the meetings. Mercedes-Benz received full immunity as leniency applicant, and all parties reached a settlement (10 % reduction).
Agreements on purchasing terms or on refraining from advertising claims are also cartels – association meetings require antitrust supervision.
Agreements in association bodies; refraining from purchasing or advertising can also be a cartel
- Authority / court
- Europäische Kommission
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. 101 AEUV, Art. 53 EWR-Abkommen
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Employees
- 10,000 or more
- Mitigating circumstances
- Leniency programme (Mercedes-Benz 100 %, Stellantis/Opel 50 %, Mitsubishi 30 %, Ford 20 %), 10 % settlement reduction, lesser involvement of Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki
- Commission fines car manufacturers and association €458 million over end-of-life vehicles recycling cartel (IP/25/881) Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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19 Mar 2025 Hino Motors, Ltd.Hino Motors: over 1.6 billion USD in fines and forfeiture for emissions fraud €1.48bn
Between 2010 and 2019, the Toyota subsidiary submitted false certification applications, altered emissions data and fabricated test results; more than 105,000 non-compliant diesel engines were imported into the USA. The court imposed a fine of 521.76 million USD and forfeiture of 1.087 billion USD, plus five years of probation with an import ban on Hino diesel engines.
Manipulated test data in approval procedures lead to penalties that threaten a company's existence and to market bans; testing processes need independent controls.
Data integrity in testing and approval procedures
- Authority / court
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Ermittlungen: EPA Criminal Investigation Division, FBI)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Clean Air Act; Verschwörung zum Betrug der Vereinigten Staaten und Schmuggel (Schuldbekenntnis)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Employees
- 10,000 or more
- Culpability
- intentional
- Published
- 19 Mar 2025
Original amount 1,608,760,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 19 Mar 2025.
- Court Sentences Hino Motors Ltd., a Toyota Subsidiary, and Imposes Over $1.6B in Penalties for Emissions Fraud Scheme Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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7 Mar 2025 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.CPPA: $632,500 against Honda over obstructed privacy requests €582,573
Honda required excessive information for opt-out requests, used a cookie tool without equivalent choices, made it harder to appoint authorised agents and passed data on to ad-tech firms without the required contracts. The order of the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) requires, among other things, a simplified procedure and training for employees.
Do not undermine data subject rights through form hurdles or asymmetric consent dialogues.
- Authority / court
- California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA)
- Area of law
- Data protection · Data subject rights and transparency
- Legal basis
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Employees
- 10,000 or more
- Published
- 12 Mar 2025
Original amount 632,500 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 7 Mar 2025.
- CPPA: Enforcement action against American Honda Motor Co. Press release of an authority
- CPPA Order of Decision: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (ENF23-V-HO-2) Decision of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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15 Jan 2025 Hino Motors, Ltd.; Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.; Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc.Hino Motors: over 1 billion USD in penalties for falsified emissions test data €1.02bn
From 2010 to 2019, the Toyota subsidiary altered test data, carried out tests improperly or fabricated them entirely for more than 50 engine families (around 105,000 on-road and 5,700 off-road diesel engines). The resolution with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice comprises a civil penalty of 525 million USD and a criminal fine of 521.76 million USD (together 1.047 billion USD), five years of probation and an import ban on diesel engines; including the recall and mitigation measures, the overall resolution totals more than 1.6 billion USD.
Certification data is evidence – companies that embellish test results risk their existence, loss of market access and criminal prosecution.
Integrity of test and certification data
- Authority / court
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Clean Air Act
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Culpability
- intentional
Original amount 1,046,760,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 15 Jan 2025.
- Hino Motors Clean Air Act Settlement Summary Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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9 Oct 2024 Campello S.p.A.; Microlino Italia S.r.l.AGCM: providers of small electric cars remove ‘100 % green’ advertising Other
On the websites for the XEV YOYO and Microlino electric vehicles, the companies advertised with ‘100 % sustainable’, ‘100 % Green’, ‘zero emissions’ and ‘zero environmental impact’ without taking into account life-cycle phases or the emissions from electricity generation. Following an intervention by Italy's competition and consumer protection authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) (moral suasion, PS12794/PS12819), the claims were removed.
Even for electric vehicles, absolute claims such as ‘zero emissions’ are misleading if manufacturing and electricity generation are left out.
Blanket environmental promises for electric products
- Authority / court
- Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Misleading environmental and sustainability claims
- Legal basis
- Codice del Consumo (unlautere Geschäftspraktiken), Verfahren PS12794 und PS12819
- Action
- Other
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Mitigating circumstances
- Voluntary removal of the claims following the authority's intervention.
- Published
- 9 Oct 2024
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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24 Sep 2024 GA ADRIATIC, trženje in prodaja avtomobilov, d.o.o. (vormals Renault Nissan Slovenija)GA Adriatic (Renault): 650,000 EUR settlement for collusion on workshop contracts €650,000
In 2021, the Javna agencija Republike Slovenije za varstvo konkurence (Slovenian Competition Protection Agency, AVK) had found that the Renault importer and four car dealerships had infringed the cartel prohibition in the repair and maintenance of Renault vehicles for public contracting authorities. In a settlement procedure under the new competition act, GA Adriatic withdrew its action and received an administrative sanction of 650,000 EUR, payable in three instalments.
Authorised dealer networks must not coordinate on public contracts – even where contracting authorities require brand workshops.
Collusion between manufacturer and dealer network in tenders
- Authority / court
- Javna agencija Republike Slovenije za varstvo konkurence (AVK)
- Area of law
- Competition law · Cartels and collusion
- Legal basis
- Art. 6 ZPOmK-1 bzw. Art. 5 ZPOmK-2, Art. 101 AEUV; Vergleich nach Art. 95 ZPOmK-2 (3062-5/2024)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Mitigating circumstances
- Settlement with a reduction of up to 20%; termination after the inspection, cooperation.
- Published
- 30 Sep 2024
- Odločba 3062-5/2024-24 z dne 24. 9. 2024 (GA ADRIATIC) Decision of an authority
- Agencija v postopku poravnav izrekla administrativne sankcije v skupnem znesku več kot 1 milijon evrov Press release of an authority
- AVK – Odločitve agencije Enforcement database of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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16 Sep 2024 COBB Tuning Products, LLCCOBB Tuning: 2.914 million USD for over 81,000 tuners that disable emission controls €2.62m
Since 2015, the Austin-based manufacturer has sold more than 81,000 tuners that deactivate emission controls, as well as 8,400 exhaust pipes with fewer or weaker catalytic converters. The proposed settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (subject to court approval) provides for a civil penalty of 2,914,000 USD in four instalments, as well as a ban on defeat devices, removal of the ‘delete’ functions, information for dealers and customers, buy-back and destruction of such devices held by employees, and Clean Air Act training for the workforce.
Tuning products that circumvent emission controls are prohibited even as ‘racing parts’ – product approvals require an emissions review.
Emissions law for aftermarket products
Missing or inadequate training played a role in the decision.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas)
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Clean Air Act § 203(a)(3)(B), 42 U.S.C. § 7522(a)(3)(B)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Mitigating circumstances
- Amount of the penalty based on demonstrated limited ability to pay; payment in instalments.
Original amount 2,914,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 16 Sep 2024.
- COBB Tuning Products, LLC Clean Air Act Settlement Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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10 Sep 2024 Rudy's Performance Parts, Inc.Rudy's Performance Parts: 10 million USD in criminal and civil penalties for defeat devices €9.07m
From 2014 to 2019, the North Carolina company and its CEO Aaron Rudolf manufactured, sold or installed over 250,000 parts for Ford, GM and Dodge diesel pickups in order to remove emission controls – according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), producing as much in emissions as more than 11 million additional vehicles. A total of 10 million USD: a civil penalty of 7 million USD in instalments (settlement subject to court approval), a criminal fine of 2.4 million USD against the company together with three years' probation, and a fine of 600,000 USD against the CEO.
Those who run emissions tampering as a business model are liable under civil and criminal law – all the way up to management.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Justice
- Area of law
- Environment and sustainability · Emissions and permits
- Legal basis
- Clean Air Act § 203(a)(3)
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Culpability
- intentional
- Mitigating circumstances
- Payment in instalments because of demonstrated limited ability to pay.
- Liability of senior managers
- CEO Aaron Rudolf: three years' probation and a fine of 600,000 USD in the criminal proceedings; personally a party to the civil settlement.
Original amount 10,000,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 10 Sep 2024.
- Rudy's Performance Parts, Inc. and Aaron Rudolf Clean Air Act Settlement Information Sheet Press release of an authority
- EPA: North Carolina auto parts seller and its owner to pay $10M for making, selling and installing defeat devices Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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5 Jun 2024 CarXclusive GmbHCar dealer CarXclusive: 12,866 EUR fine for breach of AML due diligence obligations €12,866
A fine of 12,866 EUR, final since 5 June 2024, was imposed on the motor vehicle dealer by the Arnsberg regional government (Bezirksregierung Arnsberg), as anti-money laundering supervisor for the non-financial sector, for breach of the due diligence obligations of the German Money Laundering Act (Geldwäschegesetz, GwG), and the company was publicly named.
Car dealerships must identify and document buyers for cash payments of 10,000 EUR or more – sales staff must know the threshold.
Customer identification when selling vehicles for cash
- Authority / court
- Bezirksregierung Arnsberg (Geldwäscheaufsicht Nichtfinanzsektor)
- Area of law
- Money laundering and terrorist financing · Customer due diligence
- Legal basis
- Geldwäschegesetz (Sorgfaltspflichten); Bekanntmachung nach § 57 GwG
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- final
- Sector
- Automotive
- Bekanntmachung nach § 57 GwG – Bezirksregierung Arnsberg Official register or notice
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link
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26 Sep 2023 Hyzon Motors Inc.Hyzon Motors: fictitious vehicle sales after SPAC merger – 25 million USD €23.9m
The manufacturer of hydrogen commercial vehicles misled investors about customer relationships and sales, reported 87 vehicles sold for 2021 when the actual number was zero, and showed a misleading video of a purportedly hydrogen-powered vehicle. Hyzon is paying 25 million USD, the former CEO 100,000 USD and a former managing director of the European subsidiary 200,000 USD.
After a SPAC merger, the same duties of truthfulness apply as for any issuer – letters of intent must not be sold as revenue.
- Authority / court
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Area of law
- Capital markets and financial supervision · Disclosure and reporting obligations
- Legal basis
- Antifraud- und weitere Vorschriften der US-Wertpapiergesetze
- Action
- Fine
- Status of proceedings
- unknown
- Sector
- Automotive
- Liability of senior managers
- Craig M. Knight (former CEO): 100,000 USD, 5-year officer-and-director bar; Max C.B. Holthausen (former managing director of the European subsidiary): 200,000 USD, 10-year officer-and-director bar
Original amount 25,300,000 USD, converted at the ECB reference rate of 26 Sep 2023.
- SEC Charges Hydrogen Vehicle Co. Hyzon Motors and Two Former Executives for Misleading Investors Press release of an authority
Checked against the official source on 25 Sep 2026 · Direct link