"The vehicles that were the focus of the EPA report are not road tested (homologated) or sold in Italy," the Transport Ministry said in a statement.

The EPA and California Air Resources Board told Fiat Chrysler it believes its undeclared auxiliary emissions control software allowed vehicles to generate excess pollution in violation of the law.

In June, the same ministry said that Fiat Chrysler diesel engines sold in Italy were tested, and that they comply with emissions regulations.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer; editing by Agnieszka Flak)