Mercedes-Benz Korea is rapidly losing its reputation and trust among Korean customers due to what is perceived as “overly defensive” responses from its headquarters regarding a catastrophic fire caused by its EQE electric vehicle (EV), according to industry officials.
The incident, which erupted in an apartment complex parking garage in Incheon earlier this month, caused massive damage. More than 40 vehicles were totally destroyed in the fire, and hundreds of other cars were also severely damaged.
This incident has triggered escalating public concerns about EVs. The German luxury carmaker is drawing criticism for not announcing any countermeasures in response to the latest fiasco. While the company has decided to donate 4.5 billion won ($3.28 million) to affected residents, it has not issued an official public apology.
The carmaker is especially taking flak for responding way too defensively to requests to reveal its parts suppliers. The problematic EQE sedan was 토토 with what customers believe to be an unsafe battery manufactured by China’s Farasis Energy.
Even though an investigation is still underway, there is a significant possibility that the battery caused the recent incident.
Unlike Mercedes-Benz, other carmakers have been more forthcoming with information on the batteries used in their EVs upon the request of customers and media outlets, according to company officials.
“We have not concealed, nor did we deny sharing information on where we source batteries for our EVs,” an official from BMW Korea said. “When reporters or customers want to know about the specifications, we have remained open to share them.”
Other carmakers were also not reluctant to share such information even before the latest EQE fire started making headlines here.
“Audi Korea did not conceal the source of battery cells used for our EVs, and shared it when reporters or customers asked,” an official from the carmaker said.
This was the case for other homegrown carmakers, such as Hyundai Motor and Kia.
A spokesperson at Hyundai Motor said the company does not have to hide the information for any contractual reasons with clients.
“When customers, dealers or reporters ask about battery specifications, we let them know the details,” the spokesperson said. “But we have not made it public, as there is no regulatory framework mandating us to do so.”
Mercedes-Benz Korea remains reluctant to follow suit in line with its headquarters’ policy.
“We do not share any details on our parts suppliers to abide by guidelines from our headquarters,” an official from the carmaker said.