The Korean government is relooking all documents submitted by foreign automakers, as there might be more carmakers like Audi and Volkswagen, which manipulated documents to move up release dates.

The Environment Ministry said Thursday it requested the state-run National Institute of Environmental Research to review again all documents provided by 23 foreign brands including BMW and Mercedes-Benz. 


At a briefing session by the Environment Ministry last month, Volkswagen had reportedly said most of their authentications were not intentionally law-breaking and were within the range of common practice of foreign car brands.

The National Institute of Environmental Research plans to initially look into 110 diesel units from 11 automakers and expand the boundaries based on the results.

“It is expected to take two to three months to get the first result. Based on the outcome, we will request additional documents from the companies if necessary,” the Environment Ministry official said.

Foreign automakers here are affected by the tougher authentication process because it would mean their new car releases would be delayed. The process used to take around one week, but now it takes more than three months.

Mercedes-Benz’s much-awaited new E-Class diesel model was launched in May to go on sale in June, but it was rolled out here only last week because of the prolonged authentication process. BMW Korea’s flagship model the new 740Li xDrive also begun sales last month after a long delay due to the same reason.

Early this month, the authentication of 83,000 units of 32 models of Volkswagen and Audi were cancelled and the two firms were imposed with a fine of 17.8 billion won ($160 million).

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)