An auto emissions cheating device has been found on a Fiat 500X after admission that there were none in the first place.
It looks like Fiat Chrysler has some explaining to do to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority when it comes to their Fiat 500x. According to our motoring friends over at Motor1.com earlier today (Apr. 3,2017) another auto emissions cheating device has been found during independent government testing upon reexamination of an earlier complaint. The government tester noticed that during testing of a Fiat 500X after 90 minutes passed the exhaust purification system used to filter out harmful air particulates shut off. Because of these findings, Germany’s federal minister of transport will refer this case all the way to the European Commission on Italian licensing.
The background to this case is equally as interesting. Last year Fiat was first accused of having an auto emissions cheating device installed. However this time the device kicked in after 22 minutes whereas the emissions test lasts a total of 20 minutes. How convenient for the emissions to become unfiltered two minutes after the test. This prompted the proper German authorities to order Fiat to investigate and get their act together, which they supposedly obliged, which brings us to today.
Those of us in the United States with Fiat 500X’s supposedly need not worry, and it would make sense in a way. Sales of the Fiat 500X in the United States are at best dismal. According to GoodCarBadCar, Fiat 500X sales peaked in October of 2015 with 2,178 sales whereas in 2017 Fiat can barely push 700 units out the door. In Europe, it’s a different question where the small yet roomy interiors along with more engine options make the Fiat 500X a popular choice. In February alone Fiat sold 8,480 units.
The European Commission, which is now handling the case, are the same government officials that handled the V.W. emissions scandal. If steps progress just like the V.W. dieselgate scandal occurred Fiat may be in more trouble than they think.
You would’ve thought that car manufacturers seeing what V.W. had to go through to re-compensate so many customers to the tune of billions would’ve prompted engineers to reexamine their own products but such is not the case.
