French prosecutor begins investigation into Fiat Chrysler emissions

A French prosecutor has started investigated into Fiat Chrysler over accusations that the automaker cheated in diesel emission tests, a judicial source stated on Tuesday.

“I can verify that a judicial investigation has been opened into aggravated cheating,” the source stated.

The source stated the Paris prosecutor had started the investigation on March 15, as the finance ministry’s DGCCRF consumer affairs and anti-fraud body had referred the issue to the courts.

A Fiat spokesperson stated the automaker noted about the investigation and restated that its diesel vehicles totally abide by emission regulations, as confirmed by the Italian Transport Ministry.

The spokesperson said the automaker would continue to work together with the authorities on all examinations and was confident the matter would be totally resolved.

Following Volkswagen’s confession in 2015 of emissions scandal, a number of European countries introduced their own tests on car emissions.

The French test program has up until now resulted in 4 automakers -Volkswagen, Renault, Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group – being referred for potential prosecution by the consumer fraud agency.