Citroen & Renault to face charges for 'dieselgate' scandal

The two French brands are the latest car manufacturers to face charges under the 'dieselgate' emission scandal which first erupted six years ago.

Just days after French carmaker, Peugeot was charged for consumer fraud in connection to the 'dieselgate' scandal, the judicial courts in Paris have added two other carmakers to the list - Citroen and Renault.

The two French brands are the latest car manufacturers to face charges under the 'dieselgate' emissions scandal which first erupted six years ago. In 2015, Volkswagen admitted to using cheat devices in 11 million diesel vehicles to show false carbon dioxide emission readings. Since then, the company is reported to have shelled out 32 billion Euros in fines, legal fees and compensations.

As per reports, the investigation is looking at Renault engines in vehicles sold between 2009 to 2011 and 2013 to 2017. The French carmaker has been ordered to pay 60 million Euros as a bank guarantee to cover potential damages, fines and compensation for losses. It has also been charged an additional 20 million Euros as bail.

Similarly, Stellantis-owned Citroen has also been charged 25 million Euros as a bank guarantee and an additional 8 million Euros as bail. This is in addition to the bank guarantee of 30 million Euros and bail of 10 million Euros charged for Peugeot, which is also a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Stellantis Group.

The French authorities are investigating Citroen's diesel-powered vehicles sold between 2009 and 2015, similar to its sister brand, Peugeot.

The French courts will also be looking at Fiat Chrysler - another brand owned by Stellantis. The Italian brand is expected to be questioned by investigators sometime next month.

Source: LiveMint