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A £5 billion class action lawsuit has been launched against Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles as a result of the carmaker’s reported use of defeat devices in several of its diesel-engine vehicles.
Allegations against Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles say the company has breached U.K. and EU emissions guidelines for cleaner air, according to Auto Express.
It is estimated that about half a million Fiat-Chrysler vehicles sold in England and Wales — including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Iveco, Jeep and Suzuki diesel vehicles — made from 2008 to the present could be fitted with emissions defeat devices, Auto Express reported.
Fleet News created a full list of the Fiat-Chrysler automobiles said to have been fitted with emissions defeat devices.
The affected Fiat-Chrysler automobiles in the defeat-device investigation include Euro 5 and 6 models with the 1.3-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engine, according to Fleet News.
Drivers of affected Fiat-Chrysler vehicles could be compensated up to £10,000 if the emissions defeat devices class action lawsuit is successful, representing law firm PGMBM said.
The final compensation will be decided in the High Court.
In July, prosecutors in Germany, Italy and Switzerland raided Fiat-Chrysler Automobile offices looking for proof that the carmaker has been fitting its vehicles with emissions defeat devices. The investigation into Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles targeted nine Italian facilities that were allegedly installing defeat devices from 2014 to 2019, Top Class Actions previously reported.
According to Business Leader, defeat devices are created to hide diesel pollution put out by engines in emissions tests. Without defeat devices, the Fiat-Chrysler vehicles would allegedly not pass emissions tests set by U.K. and EU laws.
The lawsuit against Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles alleges the carmaker committed fraud by creating vehicles that breached U.K. diesel emissions laws.
Defeat devices identify when an engine is in the testing process and restricts the amount of nitrogen oxide emissions put out to remain compliant with pollution regulations, according to Business Leader. Emissions tests and real-world driving produce different results. The defeat devices simply mask emissions under testing conditions and allow them at a much higher level when vehicles are operating normally.
According to Business Leader, nitrogen oxide contributes to air pollution and can cause respiratory problems in children and vulnerable individuals.
While the alleged defeat devices in Fiat-Chrysler automobiles cause air pollution, there are other downfalls for individual drivers.
High nitrogen oxide emissions can escalate fuel and maintenance costs for drivers, according to Business Leader. Toxic emissions in illegal amounts can cause more than 40,000 deaths yearly, according to information from the Royal College of Physicians.
“Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles have misled drivers about the true diesel emissions that many of their vehicles produce,” a PGMBM lawyer told Fleet News. “This is yet another instance of a huge automotive firm conning consumers – with a significant impact on the environment and our collective wellbeing.”
Fiat-Chrysler “must be held to account for these practices, and this case will give customers the opportunity to pursue justice and be compensated for being misled by a company that they may have trusted,” another PGMBM representative told Fleet News. “Legally, consumers could be entitled to anything up to the full cost of the affected vehicles. Based on similar legal actions around the world, we believe claimants should expect £10,000 per vehicle.”
A Fiat-Chrysler spokesperson told Fleet News the company believes the claim is without merit and intends to “vigorously defend” against it.
Do you drive one of the affected Fiat-Chrysler vehicles? Do you plan to register your interest in the lawsuit? Tell us in the comments section below.
Check back daily for the most recent U.K. class action lawsuit and consumer protection news.
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One thought on Fiat-Chrysler Facing £5B Lawsuit Over Emissions Defeat Devices
I have owned a fiat doblo 2012 since 2017 and would be interested in pursuing this.