A French judicial inquiry into Fiat Chrysler over presumed emissions-test cheating centers if the automaker misguided buyers of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Lancia cars about emissions levels, as per a letter read by Reuters.
The letter, dated October 17 and sent by the magistrate leading the investigation to individuals associated with the probe, also states that French investigators suspect that efforts were made to hinder the work of among the investigators, an official whose job is to note breaches of country’s consumer laws.
Fiat refused to discuss the matter when contacted.
French prosecutors opened an official investigation into Fiat Chrysler in March over accusations that the automaker cheated in diesel emission tests.
The exact nature of that inquiry has been vague.
In the letter, the head of the investigation states the suspected emissions cheating dates as early as September 2009 and involved brands consists of Fiat, Alpha Romeo and Jeep, however, did not say over which period.
The letter states investigators likewise suspect “obstruction of the work of an official with registering breaches of the consumer code”.
The inquiry into Fiat Chrysler can be found following Volkswagen‘s emissions scandal, which triggered lots more investigation into potential test-rigging by other automakers.
Dieselgate likewise triggered a push by some lawmakers to prohibit diesel engines and ultimately all combustion engines.
In May, the United States Justice Department took legal action against Fiat Chrysler, alleging the company of unlawfully using software that caused excess emissions in almost 104,000 U.S. diesel vehicles sold from 2014. It likewise deals with various lawsuits from owners of those vehicles.
The European Union has also carried out legal action against Italy for not policing allegations of emissions-test cheating by Fiat Chrysler appropriately, following the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal.
