Dastardly Diesels: Suzuki and Jeep Busted Breaking EU Emissions Rules
While Volkswagen remains the industrial face of diesel-related scandals, it’s just one of many automakers fingered for emissions cheating. VW was simply the first to be dragged through the coals, and its great shame encouraged governments around the world to launch investigations into whether or not other manufacturers are guilty of similarly uncouth behavior.
Dutch road authority RDW has a problem with diesel models produced by Jeep and Suzuki. While Europe has fallen out of love with the diesel of late, the accusations are a little worse than simply falling to adhere to EU emission standards. RDW says the two automakers used “prohibited emissions strategies” that allowed vehicles to emit higher levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) on the road than during testing conditions.
Acting as the reference regulator for the European Union, RDW recalled Jeep Cherokees across the continent on Thursday to enact a software fix. According to Reuters, Suzuki has yet to find a solution for its problem model — the diesel-powered Vitara.
Suzuki said the diesel variants of its Vitara and S-Cross used motors and software supplied by Jeep parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The automaker is required to issue a formal response to the Dutch investigation by the middle of February, at which point it will probably pass the buck to FCA.
With so many regulators around the globe going out of their way to suspect automakers of emissions cheating, we’re often left wondering how much of this is just a response to VW getting caught in 2015. While it could be an overreaction, that seems no more likely than automakers collectively engaging in illegal software mischief to ensure their vehicles pass increasingly stringent emission laws. Regulators have set the bar high and automakers are coming up with creative ways to reach it. Unfortunately, this appears to be happening beyond the confines of what’s legal.
German authorities recently announced a probe into Mitsubishi Motors for the suspected use of similar defeat devices installed in its diesel vehicles; keeping close tabs on all of its domestic automakers at the same time. In September, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler was hit with an €870 million fine as part of a settlement regarding similar software issues. In the month that followed, a new investigation was announced concerning its Sprinter vans.
[Image: FCA]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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How many Suzuki diesels could there POSSIBLY be on this earth? Of course being in the USA could probably cloud my vision.
The grille in that picture seems to be violating several rules.