Audi Volkswagen Taiwan Co (奧迪福斯汽車) has been fined NT$5 million (US$153,130) over false advertising in relation to the emissions levels of two of its models, the Fair Trade Commission said yesterday.
Advertisements in an Audi Volkswagen Taiwan catalogue claimed that its SUV Caddy Maxi met the EU5 emission standards in Europe, while its A6 Sedan Avant met the EU6 emission standard.
That data was obtained by rigging the vehicles’ software, which meant the company had engaged in unfair competition, the commission said.
The advertisements breached Article 21 of the Fair Trade Act (公平交易法) on unfair competition, and Article 38 of the Air Pollution Control Act (空氣污染防制法), which stipulates a specific procedure for automobile companies to verify vehicle emissions levels, the commission said in a news release.
Therefore, Audi Volkswagen Taiwan has been fined NT$5 million, the commission said.
In March, Audi Volkswagen Taiwan started a recall of 18,700 vehicles, including its 2-liter and 1.6-liter diesel cars, but it was not clear whether the two models pinpointed by the commission were included.
A scandal over Volkswagen emissions emerged in September last year when the US Environmental Protection Agency said that the company had been rigging its vehicles’ software for emissions testing, including over nitrogen oxide output.
An estimated 11 million vehicles worldwide made by the German company were affected by the US scandal.
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