Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne denied any wrongdoing, saying the EPA was blowing the issue out of proportion. If found liable, Fiat Chrysler could face more than $4.5 billion in potential fines for violations of the Clean Air Act. Regulators were not yet defining the software found in the Fiat Chrysler vehicles as so-called "defeat devices" intended to cheat on government emissions tests. EPA regulators made no such allegations against Fiat Chrysler on Thursday, though they said their investigation is in the early stages and is ongoing. In 2015, Fiat Chrysler was slapped with $175 million in penalties by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for mishandling recalls and failing to report safety data.

Source: ABC News January 12, 2017 16:46 UTC