Domestic VWs will be investigated

Korea will investigate whether Volkswagen AG models sold in the country comply with emissions standards after the German carmaker admitted cheating on tests in the United States.

The Ministry of Environment will test emissions on diesel versions of VW’s Jetta, Golf, and Audi AG’s A3 sedan in October, Deputy Director Park Pan-kyu said by phone. The investigation will involve about 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles that were imported to Korea since 2014, Park said.

The decision comes days after Volkswagen admitted to systematically cheating on U.S. air pollution tests. Europe’s biggest carmaker faces billions in potential fines, possible jail time for its executives and the undoing of its plans to revive sales in the United States.

The U.S. Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation, said officials familiar with the
inquiry.

“We found it necessary to review the emissions of the models under probe in the U.S., although the U.S. has a more rigid emissions standard than Korea does,” Park said.

“We have no plans at the moment to expand the investigation to other makers or models but will continue to closely monitor the situation.” Bloomberg