A row has again broken out between Germany and Italy over vehicle emissions.
According to Reuters, citing an Italian transport ministry statement, tests conducted on Fiat Chrysler vehicles show they comply with regulations and contain no emissions defeat devices as alleged by Germany.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt reportedly said at the weekend FCA vehicles breaking emissions rules should be recalled and taken off the streets.
“This is an inadmissible suggestion. You don’t give orders to a sovereign nation like Italy,” Italian transport minister Graziano Delrio retorted.
Last week, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of violation to FCA and FCA US for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act relating to NOx emissions from diesel vehicles – model year 2014, 2015 and 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with three-litre diesel engines.
According to Reuters, Germany had last year raised concerns over some FCA models, including the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade, alleging that hidden software allowed excessive emissions by their diesel engines. The EPA announcement re-ignited the issue.
Fiat Chrysler has denied any wrongdoing and, after Italy rejected Germany’s allegations last year, the German government asked the European Commission to mediate in the dispute.
Italy’s transport ministry said on Monday it had “carried out the necessary checks and sent a detailed report to the German authorities which shows that the Fiat 500X, in contrast to what is claimed by Germany, is in compliance with regulations”, Reuters said.
It added that the European Commission did not appear to have conducted any tests of its own that would confirm the German allegations. An EU official has told Reuters the commission had taken emissions measurements on one rented Fiat 500X model.
But the commission last week called on Italy to provide proof against Germany’s allegations. The Italians this week dismissed commission accusations it was stalling, saying it has always responded promptly to requests from Brussels.
