[quote]Additionally it could face a fine of about $18 billion, or $37,500 per car, federal environmental officials said.
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If they in fact end up with a fine of $37,500 per car it is enough to make any manufacturer think more than twice about doing something like this. Of course after litigation, they could end up with fines much less.
What I wonder is how did regulators find out about this? A whistle blower? If the whistle blower gets say 20-30% of the fine, that would be a pretty big paycheck for turning in your bosses.