The Environment Ministry held a hearing on Monday and listened to what Audi Volkswagen Korea had to say about its alleged doctoring of noise level, fuel efficiency and emissions results.
 
The company's managing director, Johannes Thammer, clarified his firm’s position during the hearing held at the National Institute of Environmental Research in Incheon.
 
The hearing came as the German carmaker decided to voluntarily halt the sales of 79 models that the government said would be subject to a sales ban and revocation of certification for alleged emissions rigging.

Based on the results of the hearing, the government plans to make a final decision on the sales ban and revocation of certification by this Friday.
 
The hearing also came as revisions to the nation's air protection regulations will go into effect on Thursday. Under the revisions, an automaker that acquired certification after breaking related standards can be slapped with a fine of up to ten billion won per car model.