FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will spend about $800 million in the US to settle allegations of fraudulent software that understates emissions.
This will end the US regulatory and FCA case that has been going on since May 2017. Then the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the course of tests revealed that the software of the engine management system on Jeep SUVs and Ram pickups is able to change the algorithm of its work in order to underestimate the level of emissions. After that, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the company, in which it accused the FCA of using fraudulent software on 104,000 diesel cars sold in the US. Bypass devices were used on Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs and Dodge Ram pickup trucks with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel produced in 2014-2016.
According to Reuters, FCA representatives were able to conclude an out-of-court settlement and agreed to pay a fine of $311 million to the Department of Justice, $75 million to the California authorities, as well as $280 million in cash compensation to owners of 104,000 cars, that is, each owner of a "dirty" car will receive about $2,700.
Payouts are also pending to governments other than California, bringing the total payout to $800 million, The Detroit News reports.
Another $30 million will be paid to settle claims by Robert Bosch, whose equipment is installed on FCA cars.
It is noteworthy that the FCA denied any “cheating” on the part of its cars, but back in October 2018, it reserved $815 million in its accounts to resolve the scandal.
Recall that the so-called “dieselgate” earlier forced Volkswagen management to conclude a similar $4.3 billion deal with the US Department of Justice. In total, Volkswagen paid $25 billion in fines and compensation in the US for the use of bypass devices.
Diesel Jeep Owners Get $2,700 for Dirty Exhaust
