German magazine reports that Germany has written a letter accusing Fiat Chrysler of using a cheat device on diesel cars.

Germany has written a letter to the European Commission accusing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of using an illegal device to switch off exhaust treatment systems in diesel engines, German magazine Wirtschaftswoche reported today.

The German Transport Ministry sent a letter to the commission, which is the EU's executive arm, in late August in which it said tests had found evidence that Fiat Chrysler had illegally used a device to switch off exhaust treatment systems, Wirtschafts Woche said.

In addition, the tests found a "special nitrogen oxide catalyst which is being switched off after a few cleaning cycles," the magazine said. The affected vehicles are the Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade small SUVs, both platform siblings, along with the Fiat Doblo car-derived van. The engine in question is Fiat's latest 2.0-liter diesel.

In May, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt criticized Fiat Chrysler for not showing up for a meeting to discuss emissions irregularities of its diesel vehicles. Italian Transport Minister Graziano Delrio said in June that Fiat diesel engines had been tested and found to comply with emissions regulations.

WirtschaftsWoche said cited the letter as saying "Germany does not share the Italian car type approval authority's opinion that the device to switch off exhaust treatment systems is used to protect the engine."

Germany's car watchdog KBA began testing vehicles of several automakers after the diesel-emissions scandal that engulfed Volkswagen Group. 

The probe found that some Fiat vehicles showed irregular levels of diesel exhaust pollution, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported. It said the emissions treatment system was throttled back after 22 minutes. The normal duration of regulatory tests for vehicle emissions is about 20 minutes.

The German Transport Ministry and the Italian Transport Ministry were not immediately available for comment. A Fiat spokesman in Germany declined to comment.

Automotive News Europe

Michael Nienaber

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The Fiat Doblo wins What Van? Light Van Of The Year Award 2016, and it's a worthy winner too.

• New FIAT Doblò Cargo is named Light Van of the Year at the 2016 What Van? Awards 
• What Van? judges were impressed by new FIAT Doblò Cargo's excellent driving dynamics, robust durability and expansive range
• Priced from £13,245*, the new FIAT Doblò Cargo is available in four bodystyles and four specification levels, with five powertrain options

FIAT Professional’s widely-acclaimed Doblò Cargo has secured yet another prestigious award after being named Light Van of the Year in the 2016 What Van? Awards announced today at a special ceremony in London.

The What Van? judging panel were impressed by the new FIAT Doblò Cargo’s class-leading attributes such as its excellent dynamics and comfort - courtesy of its sophisticated bi-link suspension - its segment-leading load and volume capacities as well as its solidity, robustness and breadth of range.

With a payload of up to one tonne and a load volume of up to 5.0m³, the Doblò Cargo has impressive carrying capacity both in terms of weight and size, which makes it ideal for commercial use. Its engine range provides low running costs and emissions, while a large number of variants are offered, making an excellent range of choice for any business looking to either expand or make changes to their fleet.

“The FIAT Doblò Cargo’s revamp has propelled it back to the top of the class,” said What Van? Editor Paul Barker. “The combination of excellent driving dynamics, robust durability and broad range make for a champion light van worthy of recommendation.”

Ricky McFarland, Country Manager FIAT Professional UK, commented: "We are delighted to receive this honour from the What Van? team and glad that they have recognised the host of improvements made to the new Doblò Cargo. Having won this accolade four times previously with the last generation Doblò Cargo, it’s great that this new model is following in its footsteps.  This year’s award provides further testimony of its enduring success and the all-round qualities of this class-leading vehicle.”

What Van? is the UK’s premier title offering Light Commercial Vehicle buying and owning advice, and the awards are decided by its expert editorial panel comprising decades of experience in the industry.

About the FIAT Doblò Cargo:

The 2015 FIAT Doblò Cargo was launched to the UK media on 16 February, 2015, at a special event staged in the Midlands. The new fourth-generation FIAT Doblò Cargo features a fresh exterior design, improved engine performance for key models and a new “EcoJet” version engineered to lower fuel consumption and reduce running costs even further. The new Doblò Cargo is also the first vehicle to wear the full “FIAT Professional” logo on its tailgate, a signature which will appear on all new FIAT Professional commercial vehicles from now on.

Since it was first launched in 2000, the FIAT Doblò Cargo has amassed more than 1.4 million sales in more than 80 different countries, including North America where it retails as the RAM Promaster City. It is produced in the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey, a World Class Manufacturing Gold Medal winner. 

Prices for the new FIAT Doblò Cargo start at £13,245* and it is available in four body styles (Standard, Maxi, XL and Work Up) and four specification levels (Standard, SX, EcoJet and Tecnico) with five powertrain options (1.4 petrol 95hp, 1.3 MultiJet II 90hp, 1.6 MultiJet II 90hp Comfort-Matic, 1.6 MultiJet II 105hp and 2.0 MultiJet 135hp).

Further information on the new FIAT Doblò Cargo, as well as the other models in FIAT Professional's award-winning range of commercial vehicles, is available at www.FIATprofessional.co.uk.

Brazilian slump causes FIAT to halt production to ease very high stock levels.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will halt production at a plant in Brazil from today through Monday due to lower demand for cars and high stock levels. The nearly 16,000 workers at the plant in Betim, Minas Gerais, will be on paid leave.

A Fiat representative said it had previously announced paid leave from Friday through Sunday due to the Easter holiday, and had added days because of elevated supplies.

The representative declined to comment on stocks at the plant but union president Joao Alves de Almeida said the factory was manufacturing some 2,000 cars a day, down from peaks of 3,400 a few years ago, and had enough cars stocked for 40 sales days.

"This isn't good news -- it creates a climate of apprehension between the workers who are concerned about their future and maintaining their jobs," Almeida said.

On Monday another union said Volkswagen had furloughed 4,200 workers at its second-largest factory in Brazil for three weeks.

Many automakers are working to cut costs in Brazil, where sales and output are down more than 20 percent in the first two months. Jobs in the auto industry have fallen 8 percent in the 12 months through February.

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New FIAT Doblò Cargo launched to media before hitting UK showrooms

• New FIAT Doblò Cargo launched to media before hitting UK showrooms
• In addition to its new exterior design, there are important technical enhancements for the 2015 model
• New FIAT Doblò also debuts ultra-efficient new “EcoJet” derivative
• The FIAT Doblò is the first vehicle to be badged “FIAT Professional”

The 2015 FIAT Doblò has been launched to the UK media at a special event staged in the Midlands. The new fourth-generation FIAT Doblò features a fresh exterior design, improved engine performance for key models and a new "EcoJet" version engineered to lower fuel consumption and reduce running costs even further. 

The new Doblò is also the first vehicle to wear the full “FIAT Professional” logo on its tailgate, a signature which will appear on all new FIAT Professional commercial vehicles from now on.

With 1.4 million sales and numerous award accolades, including International Van of the Year in 2006 and 2011, the new FIAT Doblò retains many of the class-leading traits that have defined its critical and commercial success, such as its excellent dynamics, comfort and best-in-class load and volume capacities. 

But for 2015 these attributes are further supplemented with significant improvements for the cornerstone 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engines, which benefit from enhanced responsiveness –  more torque from lower revs – and improved efficiency of up to 12 percent. 

In the case of the 1.3-litre MultiJet II engine, for example, this responsiveness has increased by approximately 40 percent compared to the model it replaces, resulting in greater flexibility for more relaxed and efficient driving as well as livelier performance when circumstances demand.

The 90hp 1.3 MultiJet II and 105hp 1.6 MultiJet II engines are also available in new “EcoJet” versions which offer a further reduction in fuel consumption and emissions levels thanks to the use of Start&Stop; low rolling-resistance tyres; low-viscosity oil; an ‘intelligent’ alternator; a variable-displacement oil pump and a new aerodynamic pack. All this makes it possible to achieve a fuel economy figure of up to 64 MPG (4.4 L/100km) and CO₂ emissions of just 115 g/km.

The technical improvements are only part of the story, of course. The 2015 FIAT Doblò Cargo also benefits from a complete redesign in line with the new, muscular design language first seen on the new FIAT Ducato. 

The sculpted bonnet and distinctive new headlamps combine with the bold new grille to add an air of sophistication and elegance to the 2015 FIAT Doblò’s design. The sleek new front bumper, lower air intakes and fog light shrouds adopt a more car-like refinement while also hinting at the new Doblò’s solidity and robustness, and at the rear new light clusters, with their sleeker shape and more sophisticated graphics, round out the Doblò’s style revisions for 2015.

Inside, Doblò retains its current interior, which is highly regarded amongst UK customers for its ease-of-use; ample storage space; high comfort and specification levels and its ability to shrug off the rigours of daily use with ease. Responding to customer feedback, the 2015 Doblò benefits from a lighter and more fluid clutch action coupled with a shorter and more positive gear change, while additional soundproofing has resulted in an average reduction of 3dB in the cabin.

In terms of safety, the Doblò’s safety credentials are enhanced by a full suite of standard driver aids including ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ABS brakes with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation), HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist) and Hill-Holder systems that help the driver during hill starts. 

A passenger airbag and lateral airbags, as well as TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) are part of theDoblò’s optional safety arsenal. Underpinning all of this, of course, is the FIAT Doblo’s class-leading chassis, the highlight of which is its sophisticated bi-link rear suspension which combines a smooth and quiet ride with sharp yet predictable handling, even when laden – an ideal set-up to prevent drivers getting into the trouble in the first place.

Naturally, the hugely versatile load compartment remains central to the vehicle’s appeal. With a payload of up to one tonne, the Doblò’s load bay is defined by a flat floor with minimal wheel arch intrusions and practical squared-off shape – again, thanks to the bi-link rear suspension! The load area, which can be specified up to 5m³, is accessed via rear doors which helpfully open to 180-degrees with hard-wearing and ergonomic handles (the rear door, for example, can be opened and fully extended using just your “pinkie” finger – perfect when holding heavy boxes).

New options for the 2015 Doblò include a new Gateway module for vehicle telematics, a power folding door mirror function, DAB preparation for aftermarket audio systems and, available shortly after launch, the Traction+ system which has already proved itself in the Fiorino and Ducato. Traction+ enables drivers to make sure-footed progress even on low-grip surfaces, such as snow or mud, without increasing the weight of the vehicle, thereby avoiding the increased running costs associated with full 4x4 systems.

Available to order in the UK now, the new FIAT Doblò Cargo range comprises four body-styles; two roof height options and two wheelbase lengths, with five engines, ranging from 90 to 135hp, and four trim levels available: Standard, EcoJet, SX and Tecnico.

Standard features on all FIAT Doblò models include adjustable-level headlamps, a full-size spare wheel, full bulkhead, overhead storage, electric windows, central locking, full wheel trims, side rubbing strips, full-height twin panelled rear doors; offside sliding side door, (plus a nearside sliding side door on Maxi and XL models) and a speed limiter (upon request). The EcoJet version adds smart alternator management, variable displacement oil pump, Start & Stop, low-friction oil, and low-rolling resistance tyres and a new aerodynamic pack.

The SX model adds bulkhead soundproofing and load area PVC lining, as well as front fog lamps; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors with body-coloured covers; remote control central locking; height adjustable drivers’ seat with lumbar support; in-cushion storage in the passenger seat and an upgraded stereo with MP3 compatibility.

The range-topping Tecnico model includes air conditioning; rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, Start & Stop; remote steering wheel controls and a dealer-fitted satellite navigation system.