Obama administration issues wrist-slap fine for Fiat Chrysler's deadly recall ... - World Socialist Web Site
28 July 2015 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has levied a $105 million fine against Fiat Chrysler for delaying the recalls of millions of unsafe vehicles. In addition, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been ordered to repurchase more than one-half million Dodge Ram pickup trucks built between 2008 and 2012 because defective steering parts can lead to loss of driver control. The consumer group Center for Auto Safety (CAS) pointed out that the settlement did not require Fiat Chrysler to buy back Jeep vehicles with defective rear-mounted fuel tanks prone to explosion and fire in a rear-end collision. NHTSA found 75 deaths related to the defect while in its own study the CAS found 187 fire deaths in all Jeeps being investigated by the federal safety agency. As part of the consent agreement, Jeep owners will get a $1,000 coupon towards a new Jeep that costs $35-$40,000. Very few owners will be able to afford that price, meaning that most unsafe vehicles will stay on the road. In a statement hailing the settlement, US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx declared, “Today’s action holds Fiat Chrysler accountable for past failure, pushes them to get unsafe vehicles repaired or off the roads and takes concrete steps to... Source: www.wsws.org
