Volkswagen said it planned to significantly strengthen its model line in South Korea next year as it wants to rebuild its presence in a market it was forced to all but exit in 2016 due to the global emissions cover up scandal.
Stefan Krapp, executive director of local importer Audi Volkswagen Korea, said his company planned to launch a number of new models in the next year including the facelifted Passat GT in December, the T-Roc compact SUV in February and the redesigned Golf 8 later in 2021.
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The company also planned to launch the Teramont SUV in 2022 followed by the ID.4 SUV EV as focus shifts towards more environment friendly vehicles.
Krapp, speaking at the launch of the redesigned Jetta compact passenger car this week, told reporters "2021 will be the first year Volkswagen will be equipped again with a full lineup in the South Korean market. Our clear intention is to democratise the imported car market, by making imported cars available for all South Korean customers rather than positioning them as premium, non-reachable products".
Audi Volkswagen Korea has been rebuilding its presence in the market since the German automaker "voluntarily" withdrew its products in August 2016 ahead of a likely government ban following the 'dieselgate' emissions cover up scandal which broke late in 2015. Sales there did not resume until January 2018.
Audi sales, impacted in the same way, have this year risen 266% year on year to 16,971 units from 4,763.
