In November a year ago, Seoul ordered Volkswagen Korea to recall more than 125,000 diesel-powered cars sold in South Korea and fined the firm 14.1 billion won ($12.3 million).
Advertisement
South Korea has banned sales of nearly all Volkswagen (OTCPK:VLKAY) cars, one of the most severe punishments globally for the company as it struggles with a deepening emissions crisis.
Volkswagen past year admitted to falsifying emissions test results in its diesel vehicles.
Hong added that the ministry is seeking ways to scrutinize emissions documents and better screen performance results on imported cars.
The emissions scandal continues to follow German automaker Volkswagen.
South Korea’s environment ministry also reportedly revoked certification for an additional 83,000 cars, which brings the total number of de-certified cars to more than 200,000. At the time, they found evidence that revealed that the Volkswagen Group had submitted forged documents on emissions and or noise level tests for 32 of its models.
Hong Dong-kon emphasized that the company will face a strict review process and said, “Rather than just going through the papers, we will conduct a thorough review which will include on-side inspections and visiting the German headquarters if necessary”. He said the measure would not affect the owners of those cars. Audi Volkswagen Korea chose to voluntarily halt the sales of its vehicles from July 25, three days before the amendment to the Clean Air Conservation Act went into effect on July 28 in a bid to lower its fines.
That is about 68% of the 300,000 cars sold by VW in Korea since 2007.
According to BBC News, the probe is part of a large-scale crackdown by the South Korean government, which saw VW offices in South Korea raided by investigators.
The German carmaker sold around 69,000 cars here in 2015.
Advertisement
The Volkswagen emblem is seen on a vehicle in front of a dealership in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016.
