SOUTH KOREA’S antitrust regulator said yesterday it decided to fine German carmaker Mercedes-Benz and its Korean unit 20.2 billion won (US$16.9 million) for false advertising tied to gas emissions of its diesel passenger vehicles.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) said Mercedes had tampered with pollution mitigation devices by installing illegal software in its vehicles, making them perform at lower levels in ordinary driving conditions than during certification tests. A total of 15 Mercedes models had such software installed, it said.

Mercedes also falsely advertised that its vehicles’ emissions remained at a minimum level and met the Euro 6 emission standards between August 2013 and December 2016, the KFTC said. (SD-Agencies)