[Courtesy of Volkswagen]
The government said Tuesday it approved a recall plan on nine models made by Volkswagen Group AG as part of a broader ongoing recall following the massive fake emissions scandal involving the German carmaker in 2015.
The recall, which applies to some 82,290 vehicles of three Audi and six Volkswagen models, including the Passat, Golf and A4 sold by Audi Volkswagen Korea, involves notifying the owners of the affected models from Wednesday so they can be brought in for checks, the Ministry of Environment said in a statement.
Audi Volkswagen Korea said in a statement that the recall process will begin on Sept. 25 for the nine models equipped with the EA189 diesel engine.
"We will ensure that the refitting of the vehicles will be quick and with as little inconvenience as possible. We will exert the most effort to regain the trust of our customers," Audi Volkswagen Korea Managing Director Marcus Hellmann said in a statement.
After the emissions scandal broke in the United States two years ago, the Seoul government launched an investigation and found some 126,000 vehicles that were equipped with a software device that interferes with emissions controls.
The local unit of the German carmaker was slapped with a fine of 14.1 billion won (US$12.5 million) and was ordered to recall some 15 vehicle models in November of that year.
The latest recall plan starting this week is the second of its kind after the ministry approved of a recall plan on two Tiguan models (27,010 vehicles) early this year.
"The recall of the Volkswagen Tiguan, which began on Feb. 6, is progressing as planned. Repairs of the affected vehicles are approaching 50 percent," the statement said.
The ministry said it will decide whether to allow the recall plan on the remaining four models (16,000 vehicles) depending on the result of the fuel efficiency test.
Under the recall plan submitted by Audi Volkswagen Korea, the company has promised to improve fuel efficiency and remove the so-called defeat device to meet environmental standards.
Yonhap News
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