Mercedes-Benz Korea Ltd. is under scrutiny for its slow response to an electric vehicle fire incident that caused significant damage in an apartment complex in Incheon, South Korea. The company's initial silence and lack of meaningful updates following the incident raised public concerns about EV safety. While the company issued a brief apology and pledged to investigate the vehicle, it did not provide further updates or respond to media inquiries, leading to criticism from the press, industry experts, and the affected community. The situation was further complicated by the absence of Mathias Vaitl, CEO and president of Mercedes-Benz Korea, who remained overseas on a business trip even a week after the incident. Although the company eventually offered relief support and stated that the CEO was returning to Korea and maintaining direct contact with relevant parties, the belated gestures were met with frustration from residents and raised questions about the company's handling of the situation. Additionally, concerns were raised about the battery cells in the vehicle, as it was revealed that they were from a Chinese firm with a history of battery fire risks, prompting calls for mandatory disclosure of EV battery brand information in South Korea. Overall, Mercedes-Benz Korea's response to the EV fire incident has drawn criticism and may impact its brand reputation in South Korea, with the issue expected to be discussed at the National Assembly's annual parliamentary audit later this year.