General Motors was slapped with the maximum penalty on Friday over its handling of faulty ignition switches, linked to at least 13 deaths.<br/> <br />U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced the fine.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION ANTHONY FOXX SAYING:<br/> <br />"For failing to report a safety defect in a timely manner, General Motors has agreed to pay a 35 million dollar civil penalty, which is the maximum penalty under the law. It is also the highest civil penalty ever paid as a result of a NHTSA investigation into violations stemming from a recall."<br/> <br />Foxx also said GM would be forced to adhere to "unprecedented oversight requirements".<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION ANTHONY FOXX SAYING:<br/> <br />"We know no one is perfect, but what we cannot tolerate, what we will not accept, is that a person or a company who knows danger exists and says nothing. Literally, silence can kill."<br/> <br />The ignition-switch defect was first noti
