China Asked Volkswagen About EU Collusion Claims Against German Car Makers

   By Max Bernhard

Chinese regulators requested information from Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE) regarding a European Union probe into possible collusion of German car makers on the development of emissions technology.

The Chinese Competition Authority requested information from Volkswagen and its Audi AG (NSU.XE) and Porsche AG subsidiaries in March, the company said in its first-quarter report on Thursday.

Last month, the European Commission said BMW AG (BMW.XE), Daimler AG (DAI.XE) and Volkswagen may have breached antitrust rules by allegedly colluding to restrict competition on the development of technology to clean emissions of gas and diesel cars.

China's request could mean its regulators are considering their own investigation.

Volkswagen has said it would study the investigation documents and comment after evaluating the evidence. On Thursday, Chief Financial Officer Frank Witter said the company could get access to the investigative files by the end of this month.

BMW said in April it would set aside 1 billion euros ($1.12 billion) for a possible EU fine in the matter. BMW has said it would fight the EU allegations with all legal means. Daimler has said it has been cooperating extensively with the European Commission as a leniency applicant and doesn't expect a fine.

BMW and Daimler didn't immediately reply to a request for comment regarding a possible investigation by Chinese authorities.

Write to Max Bernhard at max.bernhard@dowjones.com; @mxbernhard

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 02, 2019 06:22 ET (10:22 GMT)

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