Reports: Renault probed over diesel emissions

Shares of French automaker Renault  fell Friday following a report that it has become the latest car company under investigation over diesel emissions.

French investigators have ordered an investigation on suspected "cheating on key parts (of vehicles)" and into the quality of diesel testing, Agence France-Presse and Bloomberg News reported.

Renault, which does not sell vehicles in the U.S., did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The company's shares closed down nearly 2.89% Friday..

The reports about Renault, Europe's third-largest automaker, came shortly after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday said Fiat Chrysler Automobiles illegally installed software on about 104,000 pickups and sport-utility vehicles that spewed harmful air pollutants while failing to disclose the technology. The Italian-U.S. automaker denied the allegations.

German auto giant Volkswagen prompted tougher scrutiny of the auto industry at large when U.S. investigators discovered the company had rigged its diesel engines with software that enabled the vehicles to defeat emissions testing and spew illegally high levels of air pollutants. More than half a million vehicles were involved.

VW on Wednesday agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of the U.S. government. U.S. authorities also charged six Germany-based VW officials. The resolution, which requires federal court approval, will force VW to pay a $2.8 billion criminal fine and $1.5 billion in civil penalties.

Follow Paste BN reporter Kevin McCoy on Twitter: @kmccoynyc