BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche to Be Fined for South Korea Emission Rules Breach

If the South Korean Ministry of Environment gets its way, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche may have to pay a total of 70.3 billion won (P3.281 billion) for violating the sovereign East Asian state’s emission rules.

BMW faces the biggest penalty among the three European car brands, as the government plans to fine the German make with a total of 60.8 billion won (P2.827 bilion) for submitting forged documents on emission test results for over 80,000 units involving 28 models between 2012 and 2015. The ministry also said that BMW failed to obtain approval for changes in emission-control components before selling 8,000 cars in the country between 2013 and 2016.

BMW said it is "faithfully cooperating" with the government and will take necessary measures to correct any certificate documentation error.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is facing a fine of 7.8 billion won (P363 million) for selling 8,246 units between 2012 and 2017 involving 21 models using emission-controlling parts that have not been approved. Mercedes Benz explained that a few cars that have been imported through customs within the time period had been declared for customs before approval was given or changes in components were report. Mercedes sad that it will strengthen internal processes to prevent such mistakes in the future.

Likewise, Porsche may have to pay 1.7 billion won (P79 million) in penalties for selling unapproved parts. A spokesperson from Porsche Korea said the fine will not have an impact on the company's sales as the penalty addresses component changes between 2010 and 2015 and all the cars it sells now are properly certified.

Aside from their problems with the Ministry of Environment, Seoul Main Customs, another branch of the South Korean government, asked prosecutors to probe the three European car brands for violating customs law.

The ministry will cancel certificates of fuel efficiency by mid-November for all three brands. Sales will cease for 28 BMW models, but will not include cars that have already been sold.