South Korean antitrust regulator findings: Audi, BMW Mercedes, and VW

It has been reported that the South Korean antitrust regulator has issued fines in respect of alleged collusion said to have taken place between Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen.

The fines are reportedly not going to be paid by all the carmakers that are said to be involved as a result of leniency policies and the way in which collusion may have taken place, it is understood. Whilst this latest story is not directly linked to the “Dieselgate” matters that are ongoing here in the UK, it is another story in relation to the global emissions issues over the last decade or so.

You can find out if you are still able to pursue an emissions compensation claim here in the UK by completing a few forms on our website here now.

South Korean antitrust regulator issues fines

Media reports have covered the news that the South Korean antitrust regulator has reportedly made a finding against Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen in relation to emissions matters. According to media reports, some of the carmakers involved have been issued fines totalling almost £30 million. It is understood that the findings are in relation to behaviour that may have distorted competition in the country.

The news of the South Korean antitrust regulator’s findings is just one of many that have hit the media headlines over the last few years since the first “Dieselgate” scandal emerged in 2015. It is understood that not all the carmakers implicated will need to pay the fine, with Mercedes said to be the company that came forward to reveal the existence of a cartel. This is understood to mean that they may benefit from leniency policies that look to be similar to that which we have in the UK in respect of competition investigations here. Ultimately, this latest South Korean antitrust investigation and decision is further bad news for the carmakers that have been implicated in the wider global “Dieselgate” emissions allegations.

It is understood that the matters involved collusion in respect of technology that had been used to reduce emissions. Although this is not directly linked to the kinds of allegations we have seen in respect of defeat device allegations, it is all part of the wider emissions investigations.

Dieselgate compensation action in the UK

Matters covered in this story are separate from the “Dieselgate” emissions compensation claims that we are pursuing for people here, but we often cover these kinds of news stories given that they are part of the wider global emissions matters. It seems that carmakers have continuously had major problems in respect of reducing emissions, and this has led to these kinds of incidents of defeat device technology being developed, and collusions and cartels forming.

As we often say, emissions regulations are there to protect human health and to protect our environment. If they are being broken in any way, regulators must come down hard on any perpetrators.

Find out if you can still claim compensation now

If you own or lease, or previously owned or leased, a diesel vehicle over the last decade or so, you could be eligible to join one of our multiple emissions compensation actions that we are pursuing.

The best place to start to find out if you could be eligible to initiate a No Win, No Fee legal case is to complete a few forms on our website here now.

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