U.S. hits Volvo Group North America with $130 million penalty over delayed recalls

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. auto safety agency said Monday it was imposing a $130 million civil penalty on AB Volvo unit Volvo Group North America, following an investigation that found the manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks and buses failed to recall vehicles in a timely fashion.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Volvo Group agreed to a three-year consent order that includes one of the largest-ever penalties for violations under the recall law. Volvo Group North America agreed to oversight by an independent third-party auditor and will meet regularly with NHTSA to ensure that it addresses any potential safety issues, the agency said. Volvo Group is a separate entity from Volvo Cars.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

By David Shepardson