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Nissan’s Qashqai SUV

South Korean consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Nissan and Renault-Nissan Alliance chairman Carlos Ghosn over allegations of illegal tampering with emissions ratings for Nissan Korea’s Qashqai SUV.

The eight plaintiffs, who include seven purchasers of the Qashqai and one who leased the vehicle, filed suit with Seoul Central District Court through the firm Barun Law on May 31 to demand the return of “unfair profits” from Nissan and Ghosn.

“The plaintiffs’ position is that not only Nissan Korea but also Nissan’s head office and CEO should bear responsibility for importing and selling [the Qashqai],” said Ha Jong-seon, an attorney with Barun who is representing the plaintiffs.

The Qashqai was manufactured by Nissan, part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and fitted with a 1.6L engine developed by Renault. A total of 814 of the vehicles implicated in tampering allegations were sold in South Korea.

In their complaint, the plaintiffs contend that the defendants “arbitrarily set exhaust gas recirculation to stop at engine room intake temperatures over 35℃, then concealed this deception and marketed and sold the vehicle as meeting the emissions standards stipulated in the Clean Air Conservation Act.”

The plaintiffs also demanded that the vehicle’s makers, sales outlets, and sales representatives pay 30 million won (US$25,200) in dealing prices along with additional damages.

The Ministry of Environment previously ordered a halt to sales of the Qashqai after a four-month investigation of 20 domestically sold diesel models launched last December uncovered evidence that Nissan Korea had illegally tampered with its emissions levels.

Nissan Korea has denied any tampering with any vehicles.

By Hong Dae-seon, staff reporter

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