The ministry also said that it is planning to fine the Japanese company 330 million won (US$280,000) in penalties and suspend the sales of the compact crossover. (image: Wikipedia)
SEOUL, May 17 (Korea Bizwire) – Korean consumers are taking legal action against Nissan after the Ministry of Environment said Monday that the Japanese carmaker was found to have faked the emissions results for its Qashqai SUV.
Nissan has sold more than 800 units of the compact crossover in Korea since last November.
This is the second instance of a class action lawsuit after Audi and Volkswagen were found to have cheated on emissions tests.
Barun Law Firm, which is leading the class action, will seek full refunds and compensation.
“If the ministry’s conclusion holds truth, Nissan has cheated its Qashqai buyers,” said lawyer Jong-seon Ha. “This invalidates all purchases and contracts.”
Nissan Korea, however, strongly refuted all claims, saying that it never used illegal and manipulative devices on any of its vehicles.
The ministry conducted an investigation on 20 diesel vehicles from December 2015 to April this year to arrive at yesterday’s conclusion. According the ministry, during its test of the Qashqai, it found malfunctions in the vehicle’s EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) unit.
The ministry also said that it is planning to fine the Japanese company 330 million won (US$280,000) in penalties and suspend the sales of the compact crossover.
By Joseph Shin (jss539@koreabizwire.com)
