SHANGHAI--China's top economic planning agency said Wednesday it
will punish Audi AG and Chrysler after an investigation found the
two luxury car makers had pursued monopoly practices.
At a briefing in Beijing, Li Pumin, secretary-general of the
National Development and Reform Commission also confirmed a recent
investigation into Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz.
Mr. Li said investigations by local authorities into Chrysler
and Audi were close to an end. "The two companies do have
monopolistic practices. They will be punished soon."
Also, he said the NDRC has finished antitrust investigations
into 12 Japanese companies, saying they are pursuing price
monopolies in auto parts, but declined to name the companies.
Mr. Li's remarks come after efforts by luxury car makers,
including Audi, Chrysler and Mercedes, to appease Chinese
regulators with price cuts on spare parts in recent days. All the
three car companies have said that their price cuts are in response
to an investigation by the NDRC.
Foreign luxury-auto makers have been facing mounting pressure in
what has been a lucrative market. China's state media have accused
auto makers of earning exorbitant profits in China by dominating
the market, overcharging consumers and controlling the sale of auto
parts. In recent weeks, Chinese regulators have increased scrutiny
on the industry, people familiar with the matter have said.
In response to a question about the possibility of fines late
Tuesday, a Chrysler spokeswoman said: "Chrysler Group China Sales
has been in full cooperation with NDRC investigation. It is not
appropriate for us to discuss any details before NDRC issues
official conclusion." Officials at Audi weren't immediately
available for comment Wednesday.
Rose Yu, Colum Murphy and Grace Zhu contributed to this
article.
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