GM accuses US agency of rigging a critical test

General Motors Corporation said it has accused a federal safety agency of rigging a televised test of a GM station wagon. The test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed the rear-wheel assembly falling off the car. But in a letter to dealers, GM said the reason the rear wheels fell off was that a key part of the assembly was removed before the test. There was no immediate comment from agency officials.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the company to recall about 861,000 1978 and 1979 model-year vehicles. The agency said the cars violated emission standards.