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Threats to ban Fiat

Posted on 23 May, 2016

Fiat Chrysler may be prohibited from selling cars in Germany, if it’s found guilty of disregarding emissions rules. Bild newspaper reported on Sunday that the German motor transport authority, KBA, had uncovered evidence that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) allegedly used illegal software to manipulate emissions controls. A worst-case scenario is a complete ban on selling FCA vehicles in Germany, should they continue to flout legislation. However a spokesman for the FCA said, “…all its vehicles are compliant with existing emissions rules”. But this denial didn’t stop shares in FCA dropping more than 5 per cent. Germany is a huge European market for FCA, with the delicate nature of the issue being highlighted when Fiat refused a meeting with German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt. The industry has been under increased scrutiny following the revelations in September that Volkswagen rigged diesel-engine software to pass official tests.