Fiat Chrysler, now part of the larger automotive group Stellantis, which includes French and Italian companies, has been referred to a criminal court in Paris for alleged aggravated fraud linked to the "Dieselgate" scandal. This scandal originally involved Volkswagen in Germany, which was found to have manipulated emissions tests on diesel vehicles to meet environmental regulations. Now, Fiat Chrysler joins Volkswagen and Renault, which were referred to the court earlier this year, as well as Peugeot-Citroën, which is currently under investigation and may be referred by June 2025. The trial for Fiat Chrysler could take place between November 2 and November 30, 2028, though this is subject to confirmation. A preliminary hearing, which will help set the trial schedule, is expected in November 2027. According to the court’s referral, Fiat Chrysler is accused of selling diesel vehicles between 2014 and 2017—under the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep brands—that had engines designed to bypass emissions regulations. Specifically, these vehicles were equipped with Multijet II diesel engines that frequently exceeded legal limits for nitrogen oxide emissions, a type of air pollutant linked to respiratory illnesses. The company is alleged to have adjusted the engines' settings to pass emissions tests but designed them to perform poorly in real-world conditions, thereby endangering public health. Lawyer François Lafforgue, who represents affected consumers and environmental groups in similar cases, welcomed the referral, calling it a sign that such fraudulent practices are widespread across the automotive industry. He noted that the number of affected vehicles and the potential number of legal claimants could lead to large-scale trials. If found guilty, Fiat Chrysler could face fines of up to 750,000 euros, with the amount potentially rising to 10% of the company’s annual revenue, depending on the profits gained from the violations. Additional penalties could include restrictions on certain business activities. Fiat Chrysler’s legal team has not commented on the case, with a spokesperson for Stellantis stating that they do not provide statements on ongoing legal matters. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of major automakers over past emissions violations, as authorities in Europe continue to pursue legal action against companies involved in similar misconduct.