Fiat Chrysler says diesel emissions probes are widening
Fiat Chrysler has disclosed that additional federal and state agencies are now investigating its alleged diesel emissions violations.
The automaker said in a corporate filing that it has "received various inquiries, subpoenas and requests for information from a number of governmental authorities, including the Department of Justice, the (Securities and Exchange Commission) and several states’ attorneys general."
Fiat Chrysler said in the filing Tuesday that it is still conducting its own investigation and that "we intend to cooperate with all valid government requests."
It also said several lawsuits have been filed since January, when the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board said they are looking into emissions violations involving about 104,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel vehicles from the 2014 to 2016 model years that were sold in the U.S. The vehicles involved all had 3-liter diesel engines.
At that time, the EPA alleged that Fiat Chrysler had put in eight different software programs into the units controlling the engines that had not been disclosed to the agency as required. The programs allowed the engine to spew harmful nitrous oxide emissions.
In announcing the action, Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, called it "a clear and serious violation of the Clean Air Act." She added, "There is no doubt they are contributing to illegal pollution."
Fiat Chrysler fought back at the time, with Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne saying there is no evidence that the automaker had done anything illegal.
Regulators have been on high alert about diesel emissions in the wake of Volkswagen Group's admission that it cheated on software that allowed its vehicles in the U.S. with four-cylinder diesel engines to perform cleaner on the test stand than on the road.
The EPA can fine automakers up to $44,539 per vehicle for the violations of the Clean Air Act. Fiat Chrysler also said in the filing this week it is "working with" Italian and Dutch regulators that certify emissions of diesel vehicles for Europe.