WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV faces a $79 million U.S. civil penalty for failing to meet 2017 fuel economy requirements, the automaker confirmed Wednesday. The Italian-American automaker paid $77.3 million last year for a 2016 model year fuel-economy shortfall and a company spokesman confirmed Wednesday the company has received a letter on the 2017 penalty and has 60 days to respond. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which administers the program, said in a report Wednesday that Fiat Chrysler had failed to meet the 2017 minimum “domestic passenger car” requirements. Fiat Chrysler said Wednesday it still plans to spend $10 billion through 2022 to develop more than 30 hybrid and electric vehicles. Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Nick Zieminski
Fiat Chrysler has been fined 10bn for failing to meet fuel economy regulations. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had said the Italian-US company failed to meet domestic requirements for passenger cars in 2017. It has 60 days to respond to the fine and said it was still planning to spend $$79m on a range of more than 30 electric and hybrid vehicles by 2022.