Car companies selling cars exceeding allowed emission levels and clothes manufacturers exploiting child labour in third world countries?

Sure there were "fines" but as usual that was pocket change them..

For most of history, customers didn't have the kind of legal rights they have now. Businesses could refuse to serve you, warranties were non-existent until late 1800s. And even when consumers did get rights, there have been constant stories in newspapers of "big companies trampling on the rights of consumers".

If you want an example of ignoring local law, how about the East India Company? They formed their own army, took over part of India, and set up their own government.

> clothes manufacturers (just two examples of large companies) were ever able to ignore legal rights of their customers

Clothes manufacturers have been notorious for mistreating their employees, though; e.g. Triangle Shirtwaist.

> Not sure if large car companies or clothes manufacturers (just two examples of large companies) were ever able to ignore legal rights of their customers.

Ha, check out “unsafe at any speed” the book that launched Ralph Nader and the government’s role in consumer safety.

Or “The Jungle”, the book that launched food safety regulations (and some worker safety) a century ago.

Certain politicians and certain companies decry “regulation” generically but there are good reasons behind almost all of it.

The East India Trading Company. Rockefeller.