Santa Clara, CA: Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and Bosch are facing allegations of emissions cheating in that they colluded to falsify diesel emissions readings with their diesel Dodge RAM 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel models.
The allegations come from a California Dodge RAM 1500 EcoDiesel owner who claims the two entities knowingly concealed the use of an emissions-cheating defeat device and illegally high emissions levels up to 10 times the legal limit in EcoDiesel vehicles, and sold them under false pretenses.
According to court documents, FCA “claims that ‘no NOx’ exits the tailpipe.” This was done to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. The documents also state FCA claimed its EcoDiesel vehicles are “clean diesel” with ultra-low emissions, high fuel economy and powerful torque and towing capacity.
In its own words, FCA claims that “the Bosch emissions control system helps ensure that virtually no particulates and minimal oxides of nitrogen (NOx) exit the tailpipe.”
However, the engineering firm is alleged to have been “at the heart of the diesel scandal in the United States,” and was an “active and knowing participant in the scheme to evade U.S. Emissions requirements.” Court documents state that Bosch participated not just in the development of the defeat device, but in the scheme to prevent U.S. regulators from uncovering the device’s true functionality.
FCA and Bosch profited from this, as FCA charges a premium for EcoDiesel-equipped vehicles. For example, selecting the 3.0 liter EcoDiesel engine on the 2016 Dodge RAM 1500 Laramie adds $4,770 to the purchase price. And the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland EcoDiesel costs $4,500 more than its gasoline counterpart.”
Consumers who purchased these vehicles in good faith may suffer losses as the affected vehicles will necessarily be worth less in the marketplace because of their decrease in performance and increased wear on their cars’ engines. By unknowingly purchasing a vehicle without proper emission controls, consumers may have suffered out-of-pocket losses, cost of future attempted repairs and diminished value of their vehicle.
In November, a potential class action lawsuit was filed against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and engine maker Cummins Inc, alleging emissions cheating as the diesel engines in Dodge Ram trucks hide the trucks' emissions, which are above the legal limit.
