BMW Korea has been feeling the heat as cases of their vehicles catching fire continue to pile up.
But now,... a long overdue public apology has been issued by the head of BMW's local unit.
He also stressed that BMW is doing everything possible to relieve consumers' anxiety... and explained the cause of the blazes.
Choi Si-young reports.
At a press conference on Monday, the chairman of BMW Korea publicly apologized for the recent series of car fires.
The fires prompted lawsuits and the recall of more than 100-thousand vehicles.
The vice chief of quality control at BMW headquarters in Germany, who flew to Korea and joined the conference, reiterated that the cause was a faulty engine part, known as EGR or Exhaust Gas Recirculation.

In addition to the apology, BMW Korea emphasized that the company is doing everything it can to relieve the anxiety of consumers... and promised a successful recall.
It was thought by some that the software that runs the EGR might be different in Korea and that could be the problem, but BMW said it's only different in the U.S.
It also said the part cannot cause a fire when the car is idling or parked -- only when it's being driven.

The press conference left some questions unanswered -- most notably, why a disproportionate number of the fires have happened in Korea... when the same EGR is used in cars sold in other countries.

BMW Korea said the number of diesel cars sold varies country by country, and diesel car sales in Korea are high.
Consumers suspect BMW of hiding the extent of the problem with the part... and of trying to avoid a recall.

Choi Si-young, Arirang News.