Fiat Chrysler faces a lawsuit from two of its dealerships over allegations of inflated sales reports.
Napleton Automotive Group dealerships in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Lake Park, Florida, alleged in the complaint that the automaker offered company president Edward Napleton $20,000 to falsely report 40 additional vehicle sales.
The lawsuit also alleged that another dealership inflated its sales by 85 vehicles in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars from the company. Fiat Chrysler, the complaint suggested, disguised the payments as incentives.
Attorneys for the dealerships wrote that FCA is "strong-arming its dealers to achieve sales numbers not clearly defined." The lawsuit accuses the company of racketeering and fraud and seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.
FCA said prior to viewing the complaint that the "claim is without merit."
"The company is confident in the integrity of its business processes and dealer arrangements and intends to defend this action vigorously," the automaker said.
Fiat Chrysler touted a 7 percent jump in sales in 2015 and reported that December was its 69th consecutive month with increased sales.
