In September 2015, the automotive world as we know it was shocked to find out that Volkswagen had been cheating emissions tests for years. The scandal is far from over, though.
After Volkswagen had agreed to pay $14.7 billion in the United States of America over the emissions issue related to 2.0 TDI-engined cars, the German juggernaut now faces the wrath of South Korea. And yes, that’s the good Korea, not the one with a chubby sociopath filling the role of supreme leader.
As per a report published by Automotive News, the “Volkswagen Group will suspend sales of most of its vehicle models in South Korea from July 25, as pressure builds on the automaker over its falsified emissions tests.” This is not good news for the German manufacturer, partly because South Korea is the second-biggest market in Asia for diesel cars. Heck, a Volkswagen executive in South Korea was arrested last month over the Dieselgate scandal.
The stop-sale centers around 32 models equipped with TDI turbo diesel engines, models which could lose certification if the South Korean prosecutors want so. The biggest issue South Korea has with the Dieselgate mess-up is that Volkswagen South Korea is said to have fabricated documents on emissions and noise-level tests. In other words, Volkswagen lied and cheated.
It’s up to the Volkswagen Group to decide if it’s wise to take legal action against the allegations made by South Korea’s Ministry of Environment. The German manufacturer can do so after Volkswagen presents its case to the higher-ups in the ministry on July 25. My gut tells me that won’t be the case.
A spokesman for Volkswagen South Korea told Automotive News that “it would take three months to achieve certification again for the models.” If Volkswagen wanted to continue selling those 32 models in South Korea, the manufacturer would have applied for certification many months ago.
As per a report published by Automotive News, the “Volkswagen Group will suspend sales of most of its vehicle models in South Korea from July 25, as pressure builds on the automaker over its falsified emissions tests.” This is not good news for the German manufacturer, partly because South Korea is the second-biggest market in Asia for diesel cars. Heck, a Volkswagen executive in South Korea was arrested last month over the Dieselgate scandal.
The stop-sale centers around 32 models equipped with TDI turbo diesel engines, models which could lose certification if the South Korean prosecutors want so. The biggest issue South Korea has with the Dieselgate mess-up is that Volkswagen South Korea is said to have fabricated documents on emissions and noise-level tests. In other words, Volkswagen lied and cheated.
It’s up to the Volkswagen Group to decide if it’s wise to take legal action against the allegations made by South Korea’s Ministry of Environment. The German manufacturer can do so after Volkswagen presents its case to the higher-ups in the ministry on July 25. My gut tells me that won’t be the case.
A spokesman for Volkswagen South Korea told Automotive News that “it would take three months to achieve certification again for the models.” If Volkswagen wanted to continue selling those 32 models in South Korea, the manufacturer would have applied for certification many months ago.