French emissions investigations widen to include Fiat Chrysler Italy

The French emissions investigations into car manufacturers have reportedly expanded to include Fiat Chrysler Italy, alongside a number of other carmakers already being scrutinised over allegations of breaching emissions regulations. The recently reported inclusion of the Stellantis-owned FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) Italy is understood to have come this July, following reports in June which stated that Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, and Volkswagen are facing charges of emissions fraud by French prosecutors.

Since 2015, when the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal first emerged, a number of advances have been made in emissions investigations. The list of major carmakers accused of cheating emissions tests has grown in length, with many well-known brands being subjected to investigations across Europe and around the world.

As a specialist firm of consumer action lawyers, Your Lawyers played a key role in initiating the Volkswagen litigation in England and Wales, bringing compensation claims on behalf of affected customers. We now want to ensure that further carmakers are properly scrutinised for alleged emissions allegations, which is why we keep a close eye on any legal developments even when in other jurisdictions.

The French emissions investigations – the progress so far

The developments in the French emissions investigations have been gradual, due to the time-intensive nature of uncovering allegedly fraudulent activity and owing to the legal process. An investigation into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been ongoing in France for a few years, but is only now that FCA Italy has reportedly been included in the inquiry. Suspicions have reportedly been raised about the subsidiary’s Euro 6 diesel vehicles that have been sold in France over a period of three years.

Stellantis, which owns FCA Italy, has denied the allegations, stating that its vehicles were – and are – compliant with emissions standards.

The news follows reports from June this year, in which it was reported that Volkswagen, Citroen, Renault, and Peugeot had all been charged with emissions fraud as part of French emissions investigations. As a result of the preliminary charges, all four manufacturers have reportedly been required to pay millions of Euros in bail payments and bank guarantees, the latter of which could be set to cover any compensation pay-outs which follow.

Compensation claims in England and Wales

In the UK, our legal system is different, but many manufacturers are similarly being subjected to investigations over alleged emissions fraud. As part of the legal scrutiny, customers whose cars have been affected by alleged emissions irregularities could be eligible to claim compensation.

Many of the carmakers being investigated in the French emissions investigations are being subjected to consumer group actions in the UK, so if your vehicle is found to be affected, you could be entitled to join the fight for justice.

Make your claim today

Millions of vehicles may have been affected by alleged emissions fraud, potentially making the emissions scandals the biggest potential breaches of consumer law we have ever seen. It is vital that customers who have been potentially misled or deceived about the emissions output of their vehicles have a chance to access justice, which is why we are offering No Win, No Fee representation to eligible claimants.

You can check your eligibility today via our online form, or contact our team directly for further advice on your potential claim.