Governments mean business

The US government says car companies paid $9.1 million in fines last year for failing to comply with federal fuel efficiency requirements.

Six companies had to pay fines to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Jaguar-Land Rover paid the largest fine of $3.2 million. Mercedes-Benz paid $2.9 million; Porsche, $1.5 million; and Maserati, nearly $1 million. Ferrari was fined almost $500,000 and Fiat paid about $11,000.

The penalties were established to make sure that vehicles meet basic gas mileage standards. Some makers of luxury vehicles consider the fines to be the cost of doing business.

Car companies paid penalties of $13.3 million in 2009 and $37 million in 2008.