April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Three Bentley models that were banned from sales amid Volkswagen’s diesel scandal in Korea have earned recertification from the Environment Ministry this week, according to industry sources on April 7.

The ministry approved sales of three models -- Flying Spur V8, Continental GT V8 and Continental GT V8 Convertible -- 45 days after Audi Volkswagen Korea, the local unit of German automaker that also imports luxury Bentley cars, applied for recertification. The Korean unit will resume sales of the three models after securing inventories from Germany. 

It is the first time for the German automaker to receive recertification approval from the Korean government since the emissions-rigging scandal broke last year. In August, the ministry revoked certification and halted sales of 32 models of Audi, VW and Bentley vehicles, in addition to imposing hefty fines for manipulating emissions and noise level test results, to win sales approval.

According to an official from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, the government officials have begun recertification process of other Audi and Volkswagen cars. The decision is expected to be announced before the end of this month.

Currently, there are over 18,000 units of Audi and VW cars that are parked at the automaker’s pre-delivery inspection center in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, for more than six months, awaiting sales approval.

There have been speculations that these cars will go on sale at a discounted price once the Korean government recertifies them.

But the Audi Volkswagen Korea official said nothing has been decided on the vehicles in Pyeongtaek, while it is working with the ministry officials to get the affected cars recertified to resume sales here.

Separately, Bentley’s Bentayga SUV won sales approval from the ministry last month. The automaker is planning to launch the cars in May.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)