PARIS. As part of the judicial investigation concerning various car manufacturers that began in 2016 and 2017, it was announced today that Automobiles Peugeot SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stellantis NV, has been placed “en examen” by the Judicial Court of Paris on charges of fraud to consumers regarding the sale in France of Euro 5 diesel vehicles between 2009 and 2015. As often happens in French criminal investigations, Automobiles Peugeot SA will have to pay a deposit of 10 million euros (of which 8 million for the potential payment of damages and fines and 2 million to guarantee the representation of the company in court), and will have to provide a bank guarantee of 30 million euros dedicated to potential compensation for damages. Automobiles Peugeot SA is also evaluating its defense options in this regard. As part of the same investigation, two other companies of the group, Automobiles Citroën SA and FCA Italy SpA, were summoned to appear before the Judicial Court of Paris, respectively on 10 June and in July.
This formal stage of the investigation will allow the investigated parties to have full access to the investigation file and will give them the opportunity to defend themselves against allegations that have not yet been cross-examined.
The companies concerned are firmly convinced that their emission control systems met all the requirements applicable in the periods in question and continue to do so today and are waiting to be able to demonstrate this.
The Stellantis group, formed in January 2021, in continuity with the policies of its predecessors, will fully cooperate with justice to quickly resolve the issue.