Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission Initiates Mediation Procedures
Consumers Demand Free Repairs and Other Remedies
"More Than 50 Consumers Affected"
The Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission has initiated a collective dispute mediation process regarding defects in the air conditioning system of the 2022 Audi sport utility vehicle (SUV) model.
The Korea Consumer Agency's Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission announced on the 21st that it had decided on the 19th to begin collective dispute mediation procedures for the Audi 'Q4 e-tron 40' vehicle, which was imported and sold by Volkswagen Group Korea.
Consumers who suffered damages due to defects in the air conditioning system of this vehicle have demanded free repairs and other remedies. The commission determined that the number of affected consumers exceeds 50, and that the key issues of the case are essentially the same in both fact and law, thus meeting the requirements for initiating collective dispute mediation procedures.
The commission plans to announce the initiation of the procedure on the Korea Consumer Agency's website and in daily newspapers by June 13. However, to expedite the mediation process, no additional applications for participation will be accepted. Instead, if the company accepts the outcome of the mediation decision in the future, consumers who did not participate in the mediation process will also be eligible for compensation.
Chairman Han Yongho stated, "Approximately 2,000 consumers have purchased the same vehicle model, and with summer approaching, the damages experienced by these consumers could rapidly increase. Taking these circumstances into account, we have promptly prepared a reasonable mediation plan," adding, "We will continue to work to provide relief for affected consumers."
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