Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK) said Friday that 25 percent of all cars it aims to sell in South Korea by 2020 will be electric vehicles as the German carmaker moves toward a “greener” model lineup. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 6 (Korea Bizwire) — Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK) said Friday that 25 percent of all cars it aims to sell in South Korea by 2020 will be electric vehicles as the German carmaker moves toward a “greener” model lineup.
The announcement to strengthen its electric vehicle (EV) models is in line with the company’s broader global strategy and comes as the carmaker has resumed sales here in November after suspending operations following the “diesel gate” emissions cheating scandal. Volkswagen stopped sales in August 2016, and Audi cars followed in March 2017.
“We utilized last year as an opportunity to reflect on our past and to transform AVK by focusing on the following three key principals: work on old issues and resolve them, be an open and transparent company, and develop a sustainable plan for the future,” Group Managing Director Rene Koneberg at Audi Volkswagen Korea said in a press conference.
Over the last two years, the company has made significant efforts to transform its overall operation and services. Following this first step taken, it will continue to clear up the old issues and address new challenges responsibly and transparently, he said.
In South Korea, AVK currently sells the R8 sports car, the 2.0-liter diesel powered A6 sedan and the 2.0-liter diesel Passat sedan here. The 40 new models the company plans to introduce will be sold under four brands: Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley and Lamborghini.
In the January-March period, AVK sold a combined 868 vehicles, down 6.8 percent from 931 units a year earlier under the four brands, according to data from the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association.
(Yonhap)
