China fines Audi, Chrysler over anti-monopoly law violation charges

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chinese authorities have fined automaker Audi $40.5 million and Chrysler $5.2 million on charges of violating anti-monopoly law in a sweeping probe of the auto industry.

According to the Associated Press, the government announced Thursday, Sept 11, that Audi's China unit was found to have violated the law by enforcing minimum prices that dealers were required to charge for sales and service and Chrysler enforced minimum sales prices. Three Chrysler dealerships were fined for agreeing on minimum prices for repairs.

Regulators have launched a series of investigations of global automakers, technology suppliers and other companies under China's 6-year-old anti-monopoly law. Business groups say foreign companies appear to be unfairly targeted but authorities have denied that.

Authorities earlier announced fines for a group of Japanese auto components suppliers.