The United States government has fined General Motors $US35 million over delays in dealing with a safety issue.
US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx (right) and NHTSA acting administrator David Friedman. Photo: AFP
The fine relates to a fault with ignition switches on some GM models which cut off the power steering and brakes and disabled the car's airbags.
The firm has recalled 2.6 million cars with the defective switch, which has been linked to 13 deaths.
US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said GM had had information linking ignition switch problems and air bag failures since at least November 2009.
"They had that information and they told no-one. They didn't tell their customers."
The fine is the maximum allowed by US law. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Board (NHTSA) said it was the single highest civil penalty ever levied as a result of a recall investigation.
