The German Transport Ministry has sent a letter to the European Commission accusing FCA of using a device that switches off exhaust treatment systems in diesel engines.
Advertisement
Germany’s transport ministry has asked the European Commission to investigate exhaust emissions of Fiat Chrysler vehicles for potential illegal manipulation devices, German government documents showed.
KBA, which is the country’s motor vehicle authority, was testing vehicles of many manufacturers including Fiat since Volkswagen admitted last September of manipulating emission tests by using specially designed motor-management software.
Italian Transport Minister Graziano Delrio replied at the time that German authorities should address the issue by contacting Italian vehicle regulators and not the company directly. Italy’s transport ministry declined to comment Thursday. The Italian authorities have acknowledged the existence of the device, though they said it is used only to protect the engine from extreme temperatures.
Germany’s auto watchdog KBA began testing vehicles of several automakers after the diesel-emissions scandal that engulfed Volkswagen Group.
Following German media reports that irregularities had been found, Delrio said in June that Fiat diesel engines had been tested and found to comply with emissions regulations.
He called on his counterparts from other European Union nations to toughen emissions testing rules and require carmakers to explain why they have included the technology in their engines.
Advertisement
“The responsibility to remedy wrongdoings lies with the member state in which the type approval has been granted”, she added. Further, the country pointed out that Germany’s KBA has never disagreed with any findings made in Italy. Under the proposal, which still needs to be agreed by EU governments and the European Parliament, states could ban or recall cars approved for sale by another country and the commission could levy steep fines on vehicle makers found to have breached the rules.
