 for not revealing information about engine software that allowed its diesel motors to release extra nitrogen oxide, FCA quickly issued a press release in which the automaker declared “its emission control systems meet the applicable requirements.” According to Motor Trend, car companies are permitted to install auxiliary […] "'Pin It")
FCA Boss Sergio Marchionne Denies Cheating On Diesel Emissions Tests
The EPA has yet to certify 2017 model year vehicles from FCA equipped with diesel engines, but the automaker is still selling last year’s trucks and SUVs with the 3.0-liter diesel motor
After the EPA reprimanded Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) for not revealing information about engine software that allowed its diesel motors to release extra nitrogen oxide, FCA quickly issued a press release in which the automaker declared “its emission control systems meet the applicable requirements.”
According to Motor Trend, car companies are permitted to install auxiliary emissions control devices in the vehicles it produces, as long it’s meant to improve the durability of the engine and as long as the automakers report these devices to the EPA. The problem is the EPA alleges that FCA used eight types of software it failed to report to the organization. This is why the EPA has accused FCA of violating the Clean Air Act.
Engines equipped with this undisclosed software have been fitted in 104,000 Ram trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs sold in the US between the 2014 and 2016 model years. In addition, Automotive News (subscription required) reported the EPA could fine FCA $44,539 for each of those vehicles, which adds up to approximately $4.6 billion.
FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne
In an interview with CNBC, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne told the publication FCA’s motors vary greatly from the illegal engines used by Volkswagen and that’s because FCA’s diesel engines “do not distinguish between test cycles and running a normal running operation.”
Marchionne also said he felt the FCA had been “unnecessarily marginalized” by the EPA and that he was “disappointed” by the notice issued by the organization.
According to the press release issued by FCA, the automaker “has spent months providing voluminous information in response to requests from EPA and other governmental authorities and has sought to explain its emissions control technology to EPA representatives. FCA US has proposed a number of actions to address EPA’s concerns, including developing extensive software changes to our emissions control strategies that could be implemented in these vehicles immediately to further improve emissions performance.”
While the EPA has yet to categorize the software used by FCA as a “cheat device,” it still has not certified FCA’s 2017 diesel automobiles to be sold in the US.
FCA has stated that it intends to meet with both the EPA’s enforcement division and the upcoming Trump administration in order to resolve this situation.
Video: Watch Sergio Marchionne’s Interview with CNBC
News Sources: Automotive News (subscription required), Motor Trend, CNBC, FCA
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