The US business of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy on Friday and will pay about US$300 million in a plea agreement to resolve a multi-year US Justice Department diesel emissions fraud probe, Reuters reported, citing court documents.
FCA US, now part of Stellantis, will pay about $300 million in criminal penalties arising from its efforts to evade emissions requirements for more than 100,000 older Ram pickup trucks and Jeep SUVs in its US range.
“FCA US engaged in a multi year scheme to mislead US regulators and customers,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite, adding the department will hold “accountable companies that seek to place profits above candor, good corporate governance, and timely remediation”.
US District Judge Nancy Edmunds in Detroit set an 18 July sentencing date. The settlement included a $203.6 million forfeiture penalty and a $96.1 million fine. The government noted FCA US previously paid a $311 million civil penalty and paid over $183 million in compensation to over 63,000 people as part of a class-action diesel lawsuit.
Reuters said FCA US would be on probation for three years. The automaker must conduct an initial review of its compliance with the Clean Air Act and inspection and testing procedures, submit a report and prepare at least two follow-up reviews and reports.
The Justice Department said FCA US installed deceptive software features intended to avoid regulatory scrutiny and fraudulently help the diesel vehicles meet required emissions standards. The department said the company “purposely calibrated the emissions control systems” to produce less emissions during the federal test procedures then under normal driving conditions.
The guilty plea represents the final significant action U.S. officials are expected to take against FCA in the emissions fraud matter, Reuters noted.
Stellantis confirmed the settlement and said in its 2021 financial disclosures that approximately EUR266 million (US$301 million) was previously accrued related to this matter at the time.
The affected diesel powered vehicles span model years 2014 to 2016.
Three FCA US employees have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to violate the Clean Air Act and are awaiting trial, the news agency said.
The plea deal comes five years after Volkswagen pleaded guilty to criminal charges to resolve its own emissions crisis affecting nearly 600,000 vehicles in a scandal that became known as “dieselgate”.
