April 18, 2024

• 

[THE INVESTOR] Audi Volkswagen Korea has received certification for its popular Tiguan compact crossover from local authorities, giving a boost to its comeback efforts following the diesel scandal last year that halted most operations, the German carmaker said on Aug. 28. 

“The new Tiguan and other cars have received emissions and noise level certification from the Environment Ministry. The cars still have to be registered with the Transportation Ministry, and once that is completed, we will be able to sell the cars,” a spokesperson for Audi VW Korea told The Investor. 

A total of 12 Audi and VW models -- that the carmaker applied for certification earlier in July -- received the green light for sale. They include VW’s Tiguan, Passat, Arteon, Audi’s A4 and A6, among others. 

The exact launch date, however, is still undecided. But industry watchers project VW will be able to resume sales before the year-end. 

Once the cars are launched, they will be the first car released by Audi and VW since the emissions-rigging scandal broke. In August last year, the ministry revoked certification and halted sales of 80 models of Audi, VW and Bentley vehicles, in addition to imposing hefty fines for manipulating emissions and noise level tests to win sales approval. 

VW Group’s high-end marque Bentley already resumed sales in the country in May. The new Bentayga SUV, as well as three models that were recertified -- Flying Spur V8, Continental GT V8 and Continental GT V8 Convertible -- have hit the roads.

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