FCA Proposes Software Fix to Solve Diesel Dispute
After months of negotiations with regulations agencies, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has formally put forward an application to certify its 2017 model-year diesels.
These vehicles have received updated emissions software calibration which FCA believes will make both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) happy. If the fix is approved, FCA also plans to update the emissions software in all model year 2014 to 2016 vehicles fit with the 3.0-liter diesel.
In January of this year, the EPA delivered a violation notice to FCA, alleging that about 100,000 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 vehicles fit with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine were sold with at least eight pieces of software that were not disclosed to the agency, meant to cheat emissions tests. The agency also stopped FCA from certifying its 2017 3.0-liter diesel model.
SEE ALSO: Feds Preparing to Sue FCA Over Diesel Emissions
Further pressure was added this past week when news broke that the U.S. Department of Justice is gearing up to sue FCA over the issue if it is not resolved promptly.
Since the beginning, FCA has been clear in saying that the software is not a “defeat device,” or there to intentionally fool regulators. The brand has been involved closely with the EPA and CARB to clarify exactly how its emissions control software works and has developed a fix it thinks will be satisfactory.
FCA would not comment on exactly what the changes will be, though the company says that it “does not anticipate any impact on performance or fuel efficiency.” All owners of affected 2014-2016 vehicles will have to visit their dealership for the update, if approved.
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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FCA knew what it was doing. It intentionally designed and sold vehicles that emitted over the regulations in all normal driving. That is unethical, regardless of whether it is illegal.
Dont spew abunch of Bs until all the facts have been disclosed which really none have.