KRW42.3bn Slapped on Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi
The Korea Fair Trade Commission announced on Feb. 9 that it would impose a fine of 42.3 billion won on Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi with regard to software tampering related to diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). The fines on them are 20.7 billion won, 15.7 billion won and 6 billion won, respectively.
The commission also issued correction orders to the three and Volkswagen. According to the commission, the four companies colluded in Germany in 2006 in order to reduce DEF injection and not to maximally reduce NOx emissions. This is because a large unit injection amount requires a large DEF tank to cause an increase in cost.
NOx is a toxic gas resulting from engine fuel combustion. It causes pulmonary dysfunction, acid rain, respiratory symptoms, and so on. The three other than Volkswagen sold cars with the tampered software in South Korea to violate the Monopoly Regulation And Fair Trade Act.