Justice Smacks Mack

The U.S. Department of Justice on June 16 accused Mack Trucks Inc. of tampering with the pollution-control systems on its heavy-duty diesel engines and causing excessive smog-causing emissions releases.

The charges appear in a lawsuit filed on behalf of U.S. Envioronmental Protection Agency (EPA) after negotiations on a possible consent agreement broke down. The suit claims that the company has been selling heavy-duty diesel engines equipped with devices that defeat the engines' emission control systems

The government charges that the company's engine software allowed excessive pollution from trucks running at highway speeds, while masking the offense during controlled federal tests. Mack has countersued, challenging the EPA's allegations.

The federal Clean Air Act prohibits manufacturers from selling new motor vehicles or vehicle engines equipped with devices designed to defeat the emission-control system.

The justice department during the week of June 7 announced consent agreements with both American Honda Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co., settling claims of emissions control system tampering.