China Asked German Car Makers About EU Collusion Claims -- Update

--China has contacted German car makers regarding a European Union probe into possible collusion on emissions technology

--Volkswagen said the Chinese Competition Authority requested information from it, subsidiaries in March

--BMW said it has been in contact with Chinese authorities, while Daimler said it is fully cooperating

 
   By Max Bernhard

Chinese regulators have requested information from German car makers regarding a European Union probe into possible collusion on the development of emissions technology, a sign that they may be considering launching their own probe.

The Chinese Competition Authority requested information from Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE) and its Audi AG (NSU.XE) and Porsche AG subsidiaries in March, VW said in its first-quarter report on Thursday. A BMW AG (BMW.XE) spokesman said Thursday that "there has been contact with the Chinese antitrust authorities," but declined to comment further citing continuing internal and external investigations.

A Daimler AG (DAI.XE) spokeswoman said the company is fully cooperating with the Chinese authorities. China's Ministry of Commerce didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

Last month, the European Commission said BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen may have breached antitrust rules by allegedly colluding to restrict competition on the development of emissions-cleaning technology for gas and diesel cars.

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

Volkswagen has said it would study the EU 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 that it would set aside 1 billion euros ($1.12 billion) for a possible EU fine. 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.

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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 02, 2019 09:05 ET (13:05 GMT)

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