Auto Emissions Lawsuits Settled

State air regulators and three automakers have settled a lawsuit challenging the nation´s toughest auto emissions program. A spokesman for California´s air board says General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and Isuzu have agreed not to challenge new regulations for low-polluting and nonpolluting cars.

In exchange, the state will drop its appeal of lawsuits brought by automakers. The settlement improves chances that regulations forcing car companies to build cleaner cars will take effect rather than face continuous challenges.

Air Board spokesman Jerry Martin says the settlement will bring cleaner air to California. The deal comes after the air board weakened its regulations in April following stiff opposition from carmakers who did not want to build electric vehicles.