Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) aims to ensure that its latest generation of diesel vehicles are as eco-friendly as they can be, after the company wrapped up an internal review of its cars.
In the aftermath of the Volkswagen AG scandal, the Italian-American carmaker states that it will make calibrations and fine tunings to its cars.
The company pointed out that its initiative is a "voluntary measure not mandated or requested by any regulatory authorities." In other words, FCA will improve its products out of the goodness of its heart.
In the press release, FCA underlines [pdf] that all its cars are in line with current emission regulations and that starting with Apr. 2016, it will implement new pollution settings. More specifically, FCA vehicles will get an upgraded filtering technology dubbed selective catalytic reduction.
One of the motivations for the improvements is that the company wants its cars to withstand new European testing procedures. Also, FAC wants to test its cars in conditions that are closer to the real driving environment.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament is called to rule on a compromise plan for the new rules.
The backlash that followed Volkswagen's emissions scandal in September last year caused legislators in Europe to be on their toes.
The Wednesday vote concerns the regulation of real-world emissions of nitrogen oxides that exceed permissible discharges. The current proposal is that emission be allowed to top permissible discharges by 110 percent between September 2017 and January 2020, and by 50 percent more, after 2020.
In spite of being backed by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, by EU's industrial-policy chief and by EU governments, the environment committee of the assembly considers that the proposal should be vetoed.
FCA supports the new regulations, noting that the rules provide "clarity for customers and the industry."
Late last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety handed out its annual Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards, featuring more than 61 car models. Even if the majority of the awards went to Japanese and German automakers, there was one notable exception.
Fiat Chrysler is the only U.S. car manufacturer that got commended by the road safety organization.
