False Advertising / KBS뉴스(News)

[Anchor Lead] Toyota Motor Korea has advertised that one of its models obtained a top safety rating in the United States. But it left out information noting that the same model sold in Korea was not equipped with a certain safety feature, and was different from the US models. South Korea's antitrust watchdog has fined Toyota Motor Korea some 800 million won for false advertising. Take a look. [Pkg] This is Toyota's RAV4 sport utility vehicle, some 36-hundred units of which were sold in Korea in 2015 and 2016. In its catalog and website, the firm advertised the model as the safest car, obtaining a top safety pick in five test categories from a US agency. The ad made it appear the same model sold in Korea was also of the same safety features but this was not the case. For instance, the front part of the US model shows a bracket, or a shock absorber, installed near the bumper. This feature was added after the vehicle received a bottom rating in a crash test experiment held in the U.S. After the bracket was installed, the SUV secured a top safety rating. However, this bracket does not exist for the model sold in Korea. But Toyota has not revealed this fact and engaged in deceptive advertising, only indicating the US test results. [Soundbite] Song Jeong-won(Fair Trade Commission) : "The company left out or concealed the difference regarding the bracket. Information on vehicle safety is very important when consumers purchase a car." The Fair Trade Commission has slapped a 817 million won fine, taking into account the sales of the vehicle recorded during the advertisement period. Toyota Motor Korea said it will decide its response after reviewing the commission's decision and it is yet undetermined on whether or not to provide consumer compensation.

Added 6 Jul 2026