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Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and other German automakers are under investigated by the Ministry of Environment for urea injection software tampering. The above photo depicts a Mercedes-Benz showroom in Seoul’s Seocho district. (Yonhap News)
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Audi, Mercedes-Benz and other imported brands under scrutiny
The Ministry of Environment is launching an investigation into imported models from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and other German automakers in connection with revelations of urea injection software tampering. In addition to the imported cars already implicated, the ministry also plans to expand its investigation to include all compact diesel passenger vehicles marketed in South Korea with Euro 6 emissions certification. “As of June 18, we are beginning an investigation for the installation of urea emission tampering software in the corresponding Audi and Mercedes models imported to South Korea,” the ministry said on June 15. “The investigation will be conducted on the German models in question and those using similar engines are with similar weights that are currently part of the inventory at the Port of Pyeongtaek,” a ministry senior official said, adding that it would “take about four months for the investigation findings to come.” The German government has issued a recall order for Audi’s 3.0ℓ A6 and A7 and Mercedes-Benz’s 1.6ℓ Vito and 2.2ℓ C220d and GLC220d for use of illegal software. The vehicles in question were found to have software installed that reduces injection amounts under certain driving conditions when volumes are low in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) urea tank used to reduce NOx emissions. The South Korean Ministry of Environment estimated sales of around 28,600 vehicles from the models in question in South Korea. If the investigation does find illegal urea injection tampering software, the ministry plans to pursue administrative measures as a violation of the Clean Air Conservation Act, including a revocation of certification, a recall, penalties, and a criminal complaint. As an example of an illegal “defeat device,” urea injection software tampering is subject to up to 50 billion won (US$45.4 million) in penalties per model. By Kim Jeong-su, staff reporter Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
