Mexican Media Brands
France Opens Probe into Alleged FCA Diesel Emission Violations
A prosecutor in Paris has opened an investigation into allegations that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV manipulated diesel emission tests on some of its vehicles.
#legal
Share
A prosecutor in Paris has opened an investigation into allegations that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV manipulated diesel emission tests on some of its vehicles.
The government’s DGCCRF consumer affairs agency announced previously it had uncovered “evidence of deception” in certain diesels made by FCA, PSA, Renault and Volkswagen and referred them for possible prosecution. The agency said last week it had cleared Opel of wrongdoing.
A source tells Reuters that the judicial investigation of FCA is for “aggravated cheating.” The carmaker insists that its diesels comply with all European Union emission regulations. Italy’s Transport Ministry concluded the same thing three weeks ago, saying it found “no defeat devices not permitted” by EU rules in tests of 18 diesel models.
Proving diesel test cheating is tricky, because EU standards do allow for emission equipment to be temporarily switched off under certain operating conditions. The exception is intended to avoid damaging the engine, but critics say the loophole has been too broadly interpreted by some companies.
U.S. regulators also are investigating possible diesel emission cheating in 104,000 trucks and SUVs sold by FCA in the American market.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Ford Copies Nature
As Nature (yes, capital N Nature) has done a pretty good job of designing things, it is somewhat surprising that Man (ditto) doesn’t follow Nature’s lead more often when it comes to designing objects.
-
On Electric Pickups, Flying Taxis, and Auto Industry Transformation
Ford goes for vertical integration, DENSO and Honeywell take to the skies, how suppliers feel about their customers, how vehicle customers feel about shopping, and insights from a software exec
-
Mustang Changes for 2018
On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.
