The Ministry of Environment announced on May 6 that it will make a final judgment on the illegal manipulation of emissions on some 40,000 diesel vehicles of 14 types sold in Korea by Mercedes-Benz Korea, Nissan Korea and Porsche Korea, and order them to correct defects.
It is the first time in Korea that Mercedes-Benz has been subject to administrative measure for illegal manipulation of emissions. The fine to be imposed on Mercedes-Benz is about 77.6 billion won (some $63.6 million), the highest ever imposed by the ministry on automakers.
On the same day, Mercedes-Benz Korea issued a statement saying, "There was a legitimate technical and legal basis for the use of the problematic function this time. We will proceed with the disobedience process."
The ministry said, "It has been confirmed that Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Porsche illegally manipulated emissions in a total of 40,381 diesel cars sold in Korea from 2012 to 2018," adding, "We will file criminal charges with the prosecution along with the cancellation of certification, correction of defects, and imposition of fines."
It imposed a fine of 77.6 billion won ($63.6 million) on Mercedes-Benz, which was found to have illegally manipulated emissions of 12 types of diesel cars (37,154 units). So far, the amount is the largest among fines imposed by the ministry in connection with illegal manipulation of emissions.
Nissan (2,293 units) and Porsche (934 units) were fined 900 million won ($737,000) and 1 billion won ($0.8 million), respectively.
According to the ministry's investigation, the companies manipulated the devices so that less nitrogen oxides, or emissions, would be emitted only during the authorities' certification tests for diesel vehicles.
In the case of Mercedes-Benz, the emission was manipulated by reducing the amount of use of SCR (selective catalytic reduction) element water for nitrogen oxides after a certain period of time after actual driving. The number of elements is supplied to the exhaust pipe to return nitrogen oxides to water and nitrogen.
The EGR (Emission Gas Recirculation) device operation rate is also designed to be lowered intentionally after actual driving. As a result, nitrogen oxides were emitted up to 13.7 times more than indoor certification standards during actual driving.
Imported car companies immediately protested. "There are some parts that are difficult to agree with the ministry's decision," Benz said in an official statement. "We will push ahead with the process of disobedience."
Benz asserts that the function that the ministry said was illegally manipulated is part of the integrated emission control system.
"We have already submitted voluntary recall plans for some vehicles in November 2018 and are waiting for approval from the Ministry of Environment," a Benz Korea official said. "We will decide later on whether to proceed with the lawsuit." Nissan and Porsche are also expected to express the same stance as Benz Korea.
