South Korea yesterday suspended sales of most Volkswagen AG models in a fresh blow to the German automaker as it struggles to overcome the global repercussions of its emissions-test cheating scandal and rebuild its tattered image.

The government revoked certification for 80 model variants of VW, Audi and Bentley vehicles, and fined Volkswagen 17.8 billion won (€11.2 million) for allegedly forging documents on emissions or noise-level tests.

Volkswagen described the ruling as most severe

The move could slam the brakes on sales for Europe’s biggest automaker in the Asian market, where its local unit had more than tripled revenue to 2.82 trillion won over the past five years before becoming mired in the emissions scandal.

Volkswagen described the ruling as “most severe” and said it would consider a legal challenge.

In all, 209,000 VW vehicles have been de-certified in South Korea, mainly over emissions-related problems, since November – or 68 per cent of the vehicles the automaker had sold in the country since 2007, the environment ministry said.

While South Korea is a relatively small market for Volkswagen, it is a major market for its luxurymarques Audi and Bentley and one of the fastest-growing markets for all brands.

It could take more than three months for the affected brands to be back on showroom floors, officials said.

“It usually takes three months for vehicle certification, but this may take longer for Volkswagen, as we will take thorough steps,” environment ministry director Hong Dong-gon told reporters.

Any delay in recalls previously ordered over emissions test manipulation could be met with an order for VW to exchange those vehicles for other models, Hong added.

Volkswagen voluntarily halted sales of most of its models in South Korea from July 25, ahead of the government’s decision.