Official Statement from Benz Korea
Cause Investigation and Support for Follow-up Measures
Mercedes-Benz Korea has issued an official statement expressing its cooperation in the investigation of the electric vehicle fire incident in Incheon and its commitment to support follow-up measures. Starting tomorrow, free inspections of all Mercedes electric vehicles will be conducted through nationwide official service centers.
On the 13th, Mercedes-Benz Korea stated in a press release, "We are cooperating with authorities to identify the exact cause of the accident." They added, "We will do our best to support appropriate follow-up actions based on the identification of the root cause of the accident."
From the 14th, Mercedes-Benz Korea will conduct free inspections of Mercedes electric vehicles at 75 official service centers nationwide.
Additionally, on the 13th day after the incident, the electric vehicle battery manufacturer was finally disclosed on the company’s website. Consumers can check information about the battery manufacturers through the Mercedes-Benz Korea website.
On the morning of the 8th, police, fire department, the National Forensic Service, Mercedes-Benz, and other related personnel conducted a second joint inspection of the electric vehicle that caused the fire in the underground parking lot of an apartment in Cheongna, Seo-gu, Incheon. [Photo by Yonhap News]
According to the battery manufacturer information for 16 electric vehicle models (including derivative models) disclosed by Mercedes-Benz Korea on this day, Mercedes equipped five models with batteries made by the Chinese company Farasis. The models equipped with Farasis batteries are ▲EQE 350+ ▲EQE 53 4MATIC+ ▲EQE 350 4MATIC ▲EQE 500 4MATIC SUV ▲EQS 350, totaling five models.
The remaining eight models, ▲EQE 300 ▲EQE 350 4MATIC SUV ▲EQS 450+ ▲EQS 450 4MATIC ▲EQS 53 4MATIC+ ▲EQS 450 4MATIC SUV ▲EQS 580 4MATIC SUV ▲Maybach EQS 680 SUV, are equipped with Chinese CATL batteries.
The EQA 250 uses a mix of CATL and SK On batteries, the EQC 400 4MATIC is equipped with LG Energy Solution batteries, and the EQB 300 4MATIC uses SK On batteries.
Mercedes-Benz Korea is also reported to accept the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s recommendation for a ‘special inspection.’ If accepted, Mercedes will conduct a full inspection of vehicles equipped with the same batteries (Farasis) as the vehicle involved in the accident. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will hold a meeting with the automotive industry in the afternoon to discuss measures to respond to electric vehicle fires.
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