Lauren Lantry (202) 548-6599 lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint against Fiat Chrysler for installing emissions cheating devices on 104,000 diesel vehicles that led to increased air pollution emissions. On January 12, 2017 the Environmental Protection Agency, under the Obama administration, announced findings of Fiat Chrysler’s emissions cheating devices.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“Fiat Chrysler joins the long list of automakers who have put our clean air and health of our families in the backseat by cheating on emissions tests. No profit margin is worth poisoning our neighborhoods with toxic smog, yet Fiat Chrysler’s deceit is as dangerous as the sickening smog these vehicles leave behind. Consumers deserve corporate accountability and clean cars that puts our health first. Without strict penalties, and without fixing or removing the polluting vehicles, people will continue to breathe dirtier air, and manufacturers will continue to believe they can endanger our health without consequence.
“After Volkswagen, Mercedes, Mitsubishi in Japan, Chevrolet in Europe, and several other auto companies duped consumers, automakers must be held accountable. Unfortunately, Donald Trump’s budget cuts the funding necessary for EPA’s ability to catch vehicle emissions cheating.
“It’s time the auto industry shifts its focus much more rapidly to electric vehicles, because without tailpipes, it’s difficult to cheat on tailpipe emissions tests. Until then, we need to fully fund the institutions that hold automakers accountable.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, vsit www.sierraclub.org.