FCA Inches Closer to Diesel Settlement with DOJ: Still “Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Apart”

Fines could be in the billions of dollars

Last year, the US Government sued Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over emissions issues with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine. In a similar fashion to Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal, FCA allegedly installed undisclosed software on their engines. Engines that went into a total of 104,000 vehicles. That lawsuit is getting closer and closer to a settlement, though the two parties have not agreed on a dollar amount yet. Reuters reported that the difference in their numbers still sits at “hundreds of millions of dollars”.

FCA Inches Closer to Diesel Settlement with DOJ: Still "Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Apart"

How is the Settlement Going?

Despite the disagreement about price, penalties, and fines, FCA reportedly agreed to most of the US Department of Justice. However, the heavy penalties that the DOJ wants to place on FCA are, unsurprisingly, not so much on FCA’s agenda. We do not currently have any idea of the official dollar amount that the DOJ is trying to give FCA in fines. However, we can take some hints from the Dieselgate scandal. Using that as a benchmark, fines in the billions would not be surprising to see.

Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel. [Photo: FCA]

What’s Next?

FCA will do its best to avoid paying billions in fines. Especially considering the recent financial success that they have been experiencing. Reportedly, talks are set to resume on December 3, 2018. The judge ruling this case has supposedly ordered both sides to “fully cooperate and communicate” with the settlement specialist.

Will FCA and the DOJ reach an agreement anytime soon? That remains to be seen. In the meantime, why not focus on a vehicle that, it turns out, will be offered with the exact 3.0L diesel V6 in question? This week, at the 2018 LA Auto Show, Jeep unveiled the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Be sure to watch the whole video below to find out everything you need to know about the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, and some more info about when it will receive that 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel: