Key Takeaways
- • Vance & Hines, a Garden Grove, California-based motorcycle exhaust manufacturer, has reached a final resolution with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over Clean Air Act allegations, ending an investigation that began in 2018.
- • The settlement was formalized through a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO), under which the company will pay nearly seven figures; the exact amount is not disclosed in the source article.
- • Vance & Hines says it invested millions of dollars in engineering and testing facilities to develop a new generation of performance exhaust systems rather than simply discontinuing non-compliant products.
- • CEO Chris Lindstrom said the company's goal was to show that meeting EPA requirements does not require sacrificing performance or sound.
- • The company plans to focus next on performance exhaust systems, fuel-management products and air-intake components, a move that may draw questions from longtime customers and dealers.
Summary
Vance & Hines has reached a final resolution with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over allegations related to the Clean Air Act, closing an investigation that began in 2018, according to Powersports Business. The Garden Grove, California-based motorcycle exhaust manufacturer said the matter was formalized through a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO). Under the agreement, the company will pay nearly seven figures to resolve the allegations.
The company said it cooperated with federal authorities throughout the investigation and has spent the past four years overhauling its product line and engineering capabilities. Rather than discontinue certain products outright, Vance & Hines said it invested millions of dollars in engineering and testing facilities to develop a new generation of performance exhaust systems. Chris Lindstrom, president and CEO, said in a statement: "Our goal was never just to meet a legal standard; it was to prove that addressing the EPA's concerns doesn't mean sacrificing performance or a great quality sound."
According to the company, its latest exhaust systems incorporate advanced technology and precision tuning, developed through thousands of hours of research and development. The products are designed to retain the sound and styling associated with the Vance & Hines brand while improving usable torque compared with previous generations.
The resolution underscores the compliance obligations that Clean Air Act requirements place on motorcycle aftermarket manufacturers, distributors and retailers, particularly those selling emissions-related performance products. Lindstrom acknowledged that the changes have raised questions among some longtime customers and industry partners, but said the company chose to invest in engineering to protect its future and that of its dealer network. Vance & Hines said it will now focus on performance exhaust systems, fuel-management products and air-intake components as it continues to adapt its product offerings.
The company said it cooperated with federal authorities throughout the investigation and has spent the past four years overhauling its product line and engineering capabilities. Rather than discontinue certain products outright, Vance & Hines said it invested millions of dollars in engineering and testing facilities to develop a new generation of performance exhaust systems. Chris Lindstrom, president and CEO, said in a statement: "Our goal was never just to meet a legal standard; it was to prove that addressing the EPA's concerns doesn't mean sacrificing performance or a great quality sound."
According to the company, its latest exhaust systems incorporate advanced technology and precision tuning, developed through thousands of hours of research and development. The products are designed to retain the sound and styling associated with the Vance & Hines brand while improving usable torque compared with previous generations.
The resolution underscores the compliance obligations that Clean Air Act requirements place on motorcycle aftermarket manufacturers, distributors and retailers, particularly those selling emissions-related performance products. Lindstrom acknowledged that the changes have raised questions among some longtime customers and industry partners, but said the company chose to invest in engineering to protect its future and that of its dealer network. Vance & Hines said it will now focus on performance exhaust systems, fuel-management products and air-intake components as it continues to adapt its product offerings.
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