Fiat Chrysler Automobiles currently finds itself in hot water with the German transport ministry (KBA) for missing a meeting last week to talk about the use of software that turns off emission controls. Then word came out from the KBA that FCA declined to cooperate with the investigation, saying their vehicles meet emission standards. Because of that move, the KBA is considering banning the sale of FCA vehicles.
Reuters cites a report from German newspaper Bild am Sonntag where sources said the KBA could threaten the company with a sales ban if they don't comply with emission rules. Not good news since the country is FCA's second biggest European market.
How did FCA end up here? Bild am Sonntag explains that the KBA found evidence of the exhaust treatment system turning off after 22 minutes in some of FCA's models. A regular emission test takes about 20 minutes.
After this news came out, shares in FCA dropped five percent in European stock trading.
What happens next? Italian regulators and the European Commission will look at the data from the KBA before deciding the next move.
FCA isn't the only automaker currently in hot water with the KBA. Last week, Opel met with officials to discuss software that turns off emission controls in the Zafira.
Source: Reuters
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