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The
investigation targets potentially illegal emissions software
found in engines used in Fiat Chrysler's (FCA) Fiat, Alfa Romeo
and Jeep vehicles and in CNH Industrial's Iveco trucks.
The searches in Germany, Italy and Switzerland focus on
individuals at an international automotive company and an
international commercial vehicle manufacturer, the Frankfurt
prosecutor's office said in a statement, without naming the
companies.
A spokesman for FCA said that a number of the group's offices in
Europe were visited by investigators in the context of a request
for assistance by magistrates in Germany, adding that it was
cooperating fully with authorities.
In a similar emailed statement, CNH Industrial confirmed that a
number of its offices in Europe have been visited by
investigators after a request by German magistrates and that it
was cooperating fully with authorities.
FCA and CNH Industrial are both controlled by Exor, the holding
company of Italy's Agnelli family.
Potentially illegal software has been detected in the 1.3 litre
Multijet and 1.6 litre Multijet engines used in Alfa Romeo, Jeep
and Fiat engines as well as in commercial diesel engines used in
Iveco and Fiat commercial vehicles, the Frankfurt prosecutors
said.
Although these cars passed pollution tests in a laboratory, the
cars used software to largely switch off exhaust emissions
filtering while driving on the road, they added.
The investigation, which is coordinated by EU justice agency
EUROJUST, focuses on nine individuals living in Italy and their
activities between 2014 to 2019, they said.
(Reporting by Edward Taylor and Joern Poltz in Germany and
Giulio Piovaccari in Italy; Editing by Maria Sheahan, Mark
Potter and David Goodman)
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