By Kim Bo-eun
Owners of Audi and Volkswagen vehicles who fell victim to the massive emissions scam by the carmaker filed a suit against the environment ministry, Tuesday. They claimed the ministry was too lenient in its approval of the carmaker’s recall earlier this year.
The ministry approved recalls of the faulty vehicles last August, on the condition that the vehicle’s software was replaced.
However, the owners are arguing that changing the software will not effectively reduce emissions and does not properly compensate for damages inflicted on them.
According to reports, 27 owners of Audi and Volkswagen vehicles submitted a petition to the court, Tuesday, calling for Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung to cancel the approval of Audi Volkswagen Korea's recall of its vehicles.
On Aug. 30, the ministry approved a plan submitted by Audi Volkswagen Korea to recall 8,290 vehicles of nine models including the Passat, Golf, Jetta and A4.
These vehicles are part of the 126,000 vehicles of 15 models which the ministry ordered a recall for, along with a sales ban and fines amounting to 14 billion won ($12.46 million) in November 2015, following the eruption of the emissions scandal.
Approving the recall, the ministry said it involves the removal of illegal software and the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 72 percent.
However, the plaintiffs of the suit claim that the approved recall which changes the electronic control unit program only reduces NOx emissions by 20 to 33 percent on the road.
They are stating that not requiring the carmaker to install selective catalytic reduction, an advanced emissions control technology system, was an abuse of power regarding recalls by the ministry.
The plaintiffs’ legal representative said the test documents presented by the ministry show excessive levels of NOx emissions even after replacing the software.
When the vehicle is driven with the air-conditioning on, it would emit six to seven times the standard, according to the lawyer.
In addition, the plaintiffs stated that it was illegal for the ministry to test only the emissions and fuel efficiency of new vehicles produced in 2014 provided by the carmaker, instead of inspecting all of the vehicles which had faulty engines.
The recall approved in August is the second of its kind after the ministry approved another of 27,010 vehicles of two Tiguan models early this year.
Thousands of owners of faulty vehicles are taking part in a class-action suit against Audi Volkswagen Korea.