One Spokane company also facing suspension
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Three companies local to the area have been recently penalized according to records obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Northern Imports LLC located in Airway Heights was issued a notice of suspension from the safety administration on December 15, and the letter states the company’s “registered importer registration” is suspended for 75 days.
Northern Imports was initially in the hot seat for six violations, but after investigations, three of the allegations were dropped because the safety administration declined to reach a full determination on the accusations.
These allegations state the administration safety inspector observed and photographed invalid certifications on vehicles being repaired that were not compliant with U.S. safety standards.
Northern Imports replied and said that those vehicles were in fact compliant, but the company was switching an optional part at the time that shouldn’t affect the compliance standards according to records.
These allegations were dropped due to the investigation not producing enough evidence to make a full determination.
Northern Imports was however found to have committed three violations which pertain to the company selling vehicles before the mandatory waiting period was finished. By law companies have to wait until they either receive a bond or until 30 days have passed to sell an imported vehicle.
The company admitted to these allegations and stated the cars were mistakenly sold early due to staff members being rushed and overloaded according to records.
The second company in Airway Heights that received a notice of suspension is VIP Traders, Inc, and they face a 340-day suspension for a total of 15 federal violations.
Records show the company was found to have “falsely certifying compliance on four imported, noncomplying vehicles by affixing certification labels to the vehicles prior to completion of all necessary conformance modifications and repairs.”
The second set of violations shows the company also made false statements in the case of conformance certifications for four vehicles.
VIP Traders also sold seven vehicles prior to the mandatory waiting time according to records, and that added to the violations they face.
Automotive Services Company in Spokane was a third company named, and their import license has been suspended for 180 days according to the notice of suspension sent from safety administration.
The company submitted five compliance certifications that were not done correctly, sold two vehicles without waiting for the waiting period to expire, and they moved facility operations without giving notice to the safety administration.
Matthew can be reached at [email protected]
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