Fiat Chrysler's US unit has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $300 million in penalties in the long-running case over the automakers efforts to cheat diesel emissions tests, the US Justice Department announced on Friday.
The European carmaker was accused of installing "defeat devices" on cars to evade emissions standards and in January 2019 agreed to a $515m US civil settlement.
FCA has now admitted guilt to one criminal felony count of conspiracy to defraud the US, commit wire fraud and violate the Clean Air Act, according to the Justice Department statement.
"FCA US engaged in a multi-year scheme to mislead US regulators and customers," assistant attorney general Kenneth Polite Jr said.
"The guilty plea demonstrates the department's dedication to prosecuting all types of corporate malfeasance and holding accountable companies that seek to place profits above candour, good corporate governance, and timely remediation."
US officials said FCA's EcoDiesel Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee models for years 2014 to 2016 were built with software designed to operate differently during emissions tests compared with real-world conditions, meaning the vehicles spewed nitrogen oxide and other pollutants at "much higher" levels than allowed.
In addition to the finds, the auto giant also recalled and repaired more than 100,000 diesel vehicles sold in the US at a cost about $185m.
But that agreement did not lift the criminal proceedings. Formal sentencing is scheduled for July 18 in the criminal case. Three employees also have been charged and are awaiting trial.
The settlements followed the Volkswagen scandal over defeat devices that has spawned billions of dollars in fines, civil settlements and criminal prosecutions of former executives with the German giant.
But unlike the Volkswagen case, the Justice Department said FCA did not initially admit there was anything wrong with their vehicles saying the issue was not intentional.
FCA parent company Stellantis said it had set aside about $300m last year for this litigation process.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
more from Janine di Giovanni
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
