Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Ford dealership fined for false advertising
Sunin Motors, which sells Taurus sedans provided by its official importer Ford Sales & Service Korea, has carried false information in its brochures and on its home page. / Korea Times file
By Park Jin-hai
By Park Jin-hai
A Ford dealership has been slapped with a 149 million won fine for putting out a false advertisement about its Taurus cars.
The Korean antitrust watchdog Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said Tuesday that Sunin Motors, which sells Taurus sedans provided by its official importer Ford Sales & Service Korea, has carried false information in its brochures and on its home page that the 2014 Taurus had the Hill Start Assist feature for five months from Jan.1, 2014.
Hill Start Assist prevents the car from rolling when trying to pull away on an up or down gradient, simulating a handbrake hill start.
The competition regulator said such advertisements confuse consumers and violate the country's fair trade rules.
The FTC said the fine will help create an environment where customers can purchase imported cars based on accurate knowledge about the vehicles that the dealers sell.
“The import car dealers should crosscheck the different features available for local and overseas customers before they sell the cars,” the commission said.
It also added that it will be vigilant in looking for false advertising about safety-related features. “At a time when imported cars are increasing in number, we will enforce surveillance on any profit-taking activities on false advertising.”
Ford Sales & Service Korea said it had no knowledge of its dealer’s wrongdoing. “False information has been included in brochures mistakenly. The feature has been mounted on the Taurus for U.S. customers, not for Korean customers,” said a company official.