Controversy escalated here on Friday over a BMW executive’s comments, apparently blaming South Koreans’ driving for the vehicles catching fire.In an interview with the Xinhua News Agency, BMW spokesperson Jochen Frey identified “local traffic conditions” and Koreans’ “driving style“ as two of the many reasons for a series of incidents where BMW cars burst into flames here. This file photo dated Aug. 13 shows a BMW M3 vehicle that burst in to flames while on highway. (Yonhap)The local branch of t

BMW owners, who have filed a criminal suit against the German luxury carmaker over fire-prone vehicles, on Thursday urged authorities to conduct simulations and stress tests on models subject for recall, citing their psychological damage and the need for an acceptable explanation.They also downplayed recent speculations by some experts that the fires may be caused by software manipulation, instead stressing they believe the problem lies with a defective exhaust gas recirculation module.Speaking

POCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Sweden-based carmaker Volvo has completed its sport utility vehicle lineup with the launch of the XC40, stepping into the compact SUV market for the first time in the carmaker’s 90-year history. The XC40 is smallest in the XC family consisting of the flagship large-size SUV XC 90 and XC60 midsize SUV.In the hope of continuing popularity garnered by the XC60 last year, the XC40 was released here in June, targeting younger drivers. The Korea Herald had a chance to tes

Parking banned for recalled BMW vehicles in government buildings

A BMW vehicle, which was not included in the German carmaker's massive recall, caught fire on Wednesday, fueling further concerns over safety.Police and firefighters said a BMW X1 vehicle in North Jeolla Province, south of Seoul, caught fire at 4:17 a.m. Smoke was seen coming from the front part of the car when the driver stopped after hearing a rattling sound coming from the car, investigators added. No casualties were reported. (Yonhap)The BMW X1, produced in 2012, is a model not included in t

The South Korean government ordered BMW vehicles subject to recall off the roads if they have not gone through an emergency checkup after dozens of cars burst into flames this year.In a nationally televised address, Transport Minister Kim Hyun-mee urged the head of municipalities to issue administrative orders to stop BMW drivers from using their vehicles, stressing escalating public safety issues related to the German cars. This is the first case of the government banning the operations of a sp

A BMW sedan again caught fire on a road in South Korea on Monday, the latest in a spate of reported car fires related to the German brand that have heightened safety concerns and prompted a recent massive recall here.The fire broke out in the rear part of the gasoline-powered BMW M3 while it was being driven on a expressway in Namyangju, northeast of Seoul at around 5:53 p.m., according to police and firefighters. (Yonhap)They said no one was hurt because the driver and the passenger immediately

VP in charge of Korean carmaker’s hydrogen project calls Toyota ‘good friend,’ but dismisses possible alliance

In the world of automobiles, Hyundai Motor is still perceived as a fast follower. But when it comes to hydrogen technologies, the South Korean carmaker is a pioneer, leading a herd of auto giants that have been searching for a new way to replace the internal combustion engine and reduce greenhouse gases.It all began in 1998, when the carmaker joined a government research and development project into fuel cell technology. Back then, Hyundai was a latecomer in the field of hydrogen energy, with ma

Amid doubts raised by critics and skeptical consumers that BMW may have manipulated its exhaust gas recirculation software to meet emissions regulations, causing engine fires, the government said Monday it will conduct tests on various BMW vehicles to look into all possibilities.The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will examine the amount of gas emissions from recalled BMW cars that have received a safety checkup and those that have not yet received the inspection along with vehicl

The owner of a BMW vehicle that caught fire will be summoned by police on Monday to give formal testimony as South Korean law enforcement try to determine if the German luxury brand tried to hide a serious safety defect, sources said Sunday.The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it has asked a plaintiff that had filed charges aagainst BMW to give testimony and to submit any other documents the person possess that are related to the fire. (Yonhap)"The person being summoned can represent others

Amid mounting concerns over BMW vehicles catching fire here, the German luxury carmaker faces a tumultuous road ahead, with roughly 300 BMW owners affected by the recall and engine fires slated to file a criminal suit against the carmaker next week, a lawyer representing the case said Friday.According to lawyer Ha Jong-sun of law firm Bareun, roughly 300 more owners will take legal action around Wednesday. They follow 21 BMW owners -- 20 owners of recalled models and one who had experienced an e

BMW Korea, the local importer and distributor of the German luxury car, on Thursday faced escalating criticism from customers, the government and the political circle, as its vehicles continued to catch fire on motorways here, despite its apology earlier this week and nationwide safety checks. BMW 730Ld that caught fire on Thursday morning was manufactured in 2011, not subject for the carmaker's recall. (Yonhap)Two BMW diesel vehicles -- the 320d and the 730Ld -- reportedly caught fire this morn

Angry BMW owners to seek criminal probe against automaker over engine firesA group of BMW owners will file a complaint with police this week seeking a criminal investigation into top officials at the local unit of the German carmaker over a recent series of fires in vehicles, a law firm representing the plaintiffs said Wednesday. Johann Ebenbichler (Yonhap)Barun Law LLC said it plans to lodge a complaint on behalf of 20 BMW owners and one victim of a BMW vehicle-related fire with Seoul Namdaemun

Long-held debate over the need to widen the punitive damages system here has reignited following cases of BMW sedans catching fire, which have prompted legal action by consumers. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday it would aim to add punitive damages under the current automobile management act together with the Fair Trade Commission within the month.“A slew of problems surfaced leading up to BMW’s recall and after the recall was announced, which has led us to review