The Fair Trade Commission has initiated sanctions against Benz Korea, which is accused of providing false information regarding electric vehicle batteries related to the 'Incheon Cheongna apartment electric vehicle fire.'
According to the industry on the 18th, the Fair Trade Commission sent a review report (similar to a prosecutor's indictment) to Benz Korea on the 12th, stating that it would impose sanctions for violations of the Advertising Act and the Fair Trade Act.
Investigations revealed that the Benz EQE, which was involved in the fire in the underground parking lot of the Incheon Cheongna apartment last August, was equipped with a 'Parasis' battery from China. Previously, Benz Korea had announced that all of its electric vehicles were equipped with batteries from 'CATL,' the top battery manufacturer in China.
Benz Korea is also facing accusations of misleading consumers by instructing its partner dealers to explain that the battery manufacturer for the electric vehicles is CATL.
The Fair Trade Commission plans to hold a plenary meeting in the future to decide whether to impose sanctions on Benz Korea and to determine the severity of those sanctions.
A representative from Benz Korea stated, 'The conclusion of the review report does not align with our legal judgment, and we believe the accusations raised have no basis.' They added, 'We will carefully review the contents of the report and will submit our opinions in accordance with the procedures.'