China's planning commission has fined Volkswagen's Audi sales units and Chrysler for improper price-setting behaviour, as part of a sustained investigation into foreign automakers that has international investors crying foul.
China Correspondent Lucy Hornby reports that luxury carmakers have already announced a change in the way they sell replacement parts in China as the National Development and Reform Commission targets foreign firms in a number of industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to baby formula to software developers for pricing violations.
The NDRC's local bureau in inland Hubei Province said on Thursday it would impose a fine of Rmb249m ($40.6m) on FAW-Volkswagen Sales Co, which markets Audis, and would separately fine eight Audi dealerships a combined Rmb29m. Chrysler's China unit was fined Rmb32m, and three of its dealerships a combined Rmb2m, the NDRC's Shanghai bureau said.