Fiat Under Investigation Over Emissions Manipulating Software: Another Dieselgate?

The EPA issued a public ‘notice of violation' against the FCA which alleges that Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Rams fitted with a 3.0-litre diesel engine which were manufactured from 2014 to 2016, use software that affects their Nitrous Oxide emissions.

However, the FCA group claims that the device used is not a defeat device similar to the ones used in the Volkswagen Group's cars that were affected by the Dieselgate scandal.

However, the fact that the FCA did not reveal the presence of the software to the EPA, is the reason why it finds itself in hot water. The EPA is investigating whether the device used constitutes a defeat device.

However, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne came out firing on all cylinders at a press conference regarding the issue claiming that the EPA and his company could have settled the issue in a more efficient way without the need for an announcement.

Marchionne also stated that EPA was aware of the software used which he claimed protects the engine, adding the company was planning updated software to address EPA concerns.

The investigation into FCA vehicles is part of a wider EPA probe following the exposure of the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal in September 2015.