Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) was caught by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for neglecting to report the total number of accidents that were caused by vehicles they manufactured. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – With Fiat-Chrysler also creating controversy by manipulating the number of accidents caused by their cars not long after Volkswagen slapped the whole world in the face, the credibility of foreign motor brands is dropping faster than the temperature these days. Sales of foreign cars over the past two weeks have decreased more than 10 percent compared to the usual numbers.
According to industry experts, while Volkswagen is still under the magnifying glass for manipulating the emissions produced by their diesel cars, Fiat-Chrysler (FCA) was caught by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for neglecting to report the total number of accidents that were caused by vehicles they manufactured.
Furthermore, BMW is under investigation by the NHTSA for not responding quickly to the deficiencies of its ‘Mini’ brand cars. It was reported that 30,000 of the Mini Coopers and Mini Cooper Ss manufactured this year and John Cooper Works (JCW) will be investigated.
In Korea, 55,712 different cars of 24 models, including the BMW 5 series and Mini, will be recalled due to flaws found that could suddenly cause cars to stop in the middle of driving.
Volkswagen is already accused of installing a cheating software that helped five million Volkswagens, 3.3 million Audis and Skodas, and 1.8 million other vehicles pass strict emissions tests. (Image : Yonhap)
Volkswagen is already accused of installing a cheating software that helped five million Volkswagens, 3.3 million Audis and Skodas, and 1.8 million other vehicles pass strict emissions tests.
After all the problems caused by foreign car brands, sales of imported cars in Korea are declining. As the Volkswagen case snowballed, even though it was expected to diminish during the Korean thanksgiving holidays, officials are worried that the sales of foreign cars will continue to be influenced in October as well.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
