BMW Korea said it would comply with the government’s decision and minimize customers’ inconvenience by securing rental cars.

The company has secured about 14,000 rented cars so far, but they might not be needed, as the safety checks could be completed within this week, an official said, adding it is conducting inspections of around 7,000 vehicles a day.

Last month, BMW Korea said it will voluntarily recall a total of 106,317 vehicles starting Aug. 15 and conduct emergency safety checks by operating its resources 24 hours a day for two weeks.

But a quarter of recalled vehicles remain uninspected and the incidents of BMW vehicles catching fire continued. 

So far, a total of 39 BMW vehicles, including those not included on the recall list, caught fire this year, mostly within recent weeks.
BMW said an exhaust gas recirculation module, a part needed for diesel exhaust system, was the center of the problem, refuting allegations that it manipulated control system. 

The transport minister on Tuesday also urged BMW to provide “responsible and clear answers” to suspicions of the German carmaker covering up the problem. 

Some customers and local experts have sought criminal charges against BMW executives, claiming that they have concealed the existence of the faulty parts even though they were aware of the problem.

BMW is the second-largest importer here, after its German rival Mercedes-Benz.


By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)