[THE INVESTOR] The Ministry of Environment held a public hearing on July 25, attended by Audi Volkswagen Korea.

The hearing -- which was held at the National Institute of Environmental Research -- is to offer Volkswagen’s Korean unit a chance to explain itself regarding the ministry’s recent decision to ban the sales of 79 models of Audi and Volkswagen cars that cheated on emission tests, and also cancel their registration here.


The decision, however, has yet to go into effect and will be finalized by July 29, officials said.

The ministry had made the preliminary call early this month on all VW cars running on engines that were rigged to pass Korea’s emission tests. The 79 include top-sellers such as the Volkswagen Golf, Jetta and the Audi A4.

On July 21, the Korean unit voluntarily halted the sales of these models, notifying its decision to the local dealers.

To restart sales, the carmaker needs government approval.


By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)