Mercedes-Benz under regulator’s probe over alleged false EV ads

The antitrust regulator launched an on-site probe into Mercedes-Benz Korea Ltd. on Tuesday over allegations that the carmaker provided wrongful information to customers about batteries of its electric vehicles (EVs), officials said. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) sent inspectors to the office of the company in Seoul, and is collecting data on its car sales and other relevant materials as part of its investigation into the case where a fire broke out from a Mercedes-Benz EV parked at an apartment complex in the western city of Incheon last month. The FTC is looking into the allegation that the carmaker has failed to properly let customers know the fact that only some of its EV models employ batteries manufactured by China's No. 1 battery maker CATL. The FTC refused to elaborate on details and simply vowed "a stern response to any violations." Source: Yonhap News Agency