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DETROIT – Ford Motor hired external experts to investigate the fuel consumption of its vehicle and its test procedures after its employees had expressed their concerns and did not know if it would be necessary to correct the data provided to the authorities regulation or consumers.
The investigation and problems related to Ford's test processes do not involve the use of defeating devices – computer hardware and software designed deliberately to fool emissions tests. from the government, "Kimberly Pittel, vice president of Ford's group for engineering of sustainable development, environment and safety, told Reuters Thursday.
Since last fall, the automaker has investigated concerns raised by employees that incorrect calculations were used to translate test results into mileage and emissions data submitted to regulators, said Pittel.
Ford said it was evaluating changes to the process used to develop fuel economy and emissions data, "including engineering, technical, and governance components."
Ford has hired law firm Sidley, Austin to conduct an independent investigation into possible discrepancies in calculations used to produce emissions and fuel economy figures, Pittel said. The company uses an independent laboratory to perform tests.
US and California regulators crack down on automakers for cheating off their emissions following revelations in 2015 that the German car group Volkswagen Group had used defeat devices to ensure that models with diesel engines appear to comply with emission standards when they emit much more pollution than actually allowed. conduct of the world.
& # 39; Voluntarily shared & # 39;
"We have voluntarily shared this information" with the EPA and the California Air Resources Board, Pittel said. Ford informed agencies this week, she said.
The EPA said in a statement Thursday that the information from Ford's investigation was "too incomplete for the EPA to draw conclusions." We take potential problems seriously and pursue with the company to fully understand the circumstances at the origin of this disclosure ".
The investigation began with the 2019 Ranger pickup tests, and the company expects to receive the data next week, Pittel said.
Mr. Pittel explained that the impact of the overhaul on advertised mileage or fuel economy data submitted to regulators was not clear, nor was the number of vehicles likely to be affected. to be affected if Ford had to revise the data.
"We will go where the investigation takes us," she said.
Environmental reaction
Groups of environmental activists have specifically criticized Ford, and the auto industry in general, for issues of emissions disclosure.
"It is shameful that Ford has waited months before revealing its emissions control issues," said the Sierra Club, Public Citizen and Safe Climate Campaign in a statement. "These actions are magnified only by the company's attempts to cancel and weaken current emission standards.
"After repeated fraud scandals and non-compliance with clean air protection measures, the automotive industry has proved that we could not trust the public interest. We need common sense standards and an EPA administrator who prioritizes public safety, not the polluter's benefits. "
Ford has been bothered in the past by errors in its fuel economy statements. In 2013, the manufacturer cut by 7 mpg the fuel economy claimed for its C-Max hybrid model following complaints that the actual mileage did not match the alleged fuel consumption. In 2014, Ford lowered the fuel consumption ratings of six other models and offered compensation to customers.
Eric Kulisch of Automotive News contributed to this report.
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