Transport ministry reveals fuel efficiency also affected by VW emissions rigging software

The emissions－rigging device that was found in Volkswagen diesel vehicles also affected fuel efficiency. That′s according to Korea′s transport ministry， which has been investigating the data from previous tests that had confirmed the existence of the device in cars sold in Korea. Kwon Jang－ho reports. Last month， Korea′s Ministry of Environment released the results of its investigation into Volkswagen diesel engines and confirmed that there was evidence their emissions data had been manipulated. The German auto giant was fined 12－million U.S. dollars， and a recall of 125－thousand vehicles is set to begin next year. Although the ministry said the investigation is ongoing， its initial data was handed over to the transport ministry， which has been carrying out its own investigation into whether the defeat device that allowed the cars to cheat emissions test results... also affected fuel efficiency. An official from the ministry said Thursday that initial analysis of the data shows that there is a correlation. The transport ministry will start it′s own testing on the cars to confirm the discovery in the new year. But the scandal does not seem to have had a huge impact on Volkswagen sales in Korea. The Tiguan， which was one of the models revealed to have the emissions－cheating device， is on course to become Korea′s best selling import car for two years running. Over 82－hundred units have been sold through November this year. That′s far more than the next best selling model， the Audi A6， of which just over 63－hundred units have been sold. Sales of Volkswagen cars were also boosted in November by aggressive sales discounts and marketing by Volkswagen Korea， to counteract the damage the scandal has inflicted on the brand′s reputation. The actions proved to be effective， with Volkswagen becoming the best selling import car for November， after seeing a big dip in sales the previous month. However， it remains to be seen whether Volkswagen will be able to maintain its sales numbers once the promotions stop and recalls begin next year. Kwon Jang－ho， Arirang News.