Volkswagen Scandal

[Anchor Lead]

The Korean government has banned sales and revoked the certifications of 80 models of Audi Volkswagen Korea which was found to have illegally obtained certifications through fabricated documents. The government has also slapped the carmaker with fines of some 16 million dollars.

[Pkg]

Volkswagen submitted to Korea fabricated noise and emission test results for 32 of its car models. The German automaker said it was nothing more than a mistake but the Korean government has decided to revoke certifications of Volkswagen vehicles, considering the matter a grave concern that hampers the foundation of domestic law.

[Soundbite] Hong Dong-gon(Ministry of Environment) : "Fabricating reports is a flagrantly illicit act and directly affects certifications. Revoking them is only natural."

80 models of 32 vehicle types are subject to a sales ban. Some 83-thousand units of the affected models have been sold in Korea since 2009 until recently. The total number of Volkswagen vehicles whose certifications have now been revoked amounts to 68 percent of all VW cars sold in the country since 2007. This includes those found last year
to have manipulated emission reduction devices. Some pundits say the latest measures maylead to Volkswagen being thrown out of the market entirely. Seoul's Environment Ministry has also imposed some 16 million dollars in fines, applying the maximum level, regarding VW cars that fabricated emission test results. The government is seen to have responded sternly to the carmaker which failed to admit to its wrongdoings or show regret.