Dieselgate is not over and done with in South Korea, where the authorities will file criminal complaints against five former and current executives at Volkswagen’s local unit, plus fine the company 37.3 billion won (RM142.5 million) for false advertising on vehicle emissions, according to Reuters.
The fine by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is a record for false advertising in South Korea, and it follows the suspension of most of VW’s sales in the country since August. FTC said it would ask prosecutors to investigate execs including André Konsbruck, currently VP of sales for the Americas at VW unit Audi.
FTC said VW made “false, exaggerated or deceptive” claims in the advertisements, with punishments ranging from jail terms of up to two years or fines of up to 150 million won. VW advertised its cars as environmentally friendly vehicles that met pollution standards although they were equipped with devices designed to deceive government tests, the regulator said.
Local unit Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK) said it had not been formally notified of the regulator’s decision. “AVK is committed to rebuilding trust with the authorities and with customers and other stakeholders in Korea,” it said in a statement.
This is not the first South Korean action against VW over Dieselgate. The country had already fined the German carmaker 17.8 billion won (RM67.9 million) for emissions cheating, and arrested one local VW executive on accusations including fabrication of documents and violation air quality laws.
The August sales suspension halted the German giant’s strong growth in South Korea, a market dominated by Hyundai-Kia. It’s a relatively small market for VW, but imported marques such as Audi and Bentley are in demand among wealthy Koreans and both brands enjoy good sales there.
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Please proceed & make this a “Litmus Test”. Not a test for chemical acidity but the one on a test that uses a single indicator to prompt a decision.
wah so good South Korea. US also like that. The Governments are neutral. They will sue on behalf of the consumer the car company for cheating or if they give lack of safety features.
In Malaysia, all car companies owned by Msian Gomen. So, Gomen will never sue car companies. Car company sell got no ABS, no VSC and no airbag also, Msian gomen keep quiet.
Here, Gomen also scared to sue VW cause VW and DRB GLC got partnership
Penalty for false advertisement information is fair; it is unfair to penalise VW for environmental pollution because if they want to do this, they must penalise every single vehicle that equally pollutes the environment.
No wonder Proton can’t be sold there. Will kena prosecuted very first day on misleading the client, e.g. “the smart one get it” kind of non-sense BS.
Ha ha ha Kunta, you’re right on this. Our Gov indeed own partially or have a hand in every car industries in M’sia. Even john agree to sue VW. Cheers …
2016 almost 2017, almari still only 1 airbag cuz their body is strong, no need airbag.
Take japanese cars with VSC, rebadge, profit kawkaw, then when asked to put back VSC, cannot la cuz not designed for it, then go “talk” with govt if can excuse them from regulation.
Itu baru budaya kita. RV > all
The rest of the world, safety > all, that’s why Volvo is the darling now.
Now it becomes ridiculous, government just jumping on the band wagon to make free money but that’s capitalism , any chance to take out the competition just go for it
The penalty for false advertisement is not that big.
In USa, there is glaring opportunity to penalise but no action taken.
I strongly suggest the Malaysia government to do the same. Get some Euro to help strengthen the Ringgit.
Better Gov sue toyota for endangering pipu lives all these time until recently. But then albert & sammy wun have a job….
should do the same for VW management. VW risking owners life with unsafe n unreliable vehicles.
Look how the developed nation care about the emissions. In here, we say “pollution apa benda, dah takdir”. Dasar pandang ke timur apa benda