China to punish Chrysler, Audi for anti-trust violations

China said two separate anti-trust probes into Chrysler and Audi have found that the two multinational carmakers have pursued monopolistic practices and will be punished, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.
"The two investigations are drawing to an end," spokesman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Li Pumin told reporters in Beijing without specifying details of the punishment. Li also confirmed that an anti-trust investigation into dealers of German auto giant Mercedes-Benz were also launched last week in five cities.
On Monday, inspectors made visits to Mercedes-Benz's premises in Shanghai, according to Li. "Inspectors are still collecting evidence and investigating whether Mercedes-Benz has used monopolistic tactics," he said.
The NDRC, China's top economic planning agency, is also one of three government anti-trust agencies in the country. It is in charge of the examination and regulation of price-related monopolistic practices.
The NDRC has recently finished investigations into 12 Japanese companies and found monopolistic behaviors in auto parts and bearing prices, the spokesman said, adding that the commission will punish them in accordance with the law.
Li said the NDRC launched anti-monopoly probes into the auto industry at the end of 2011 with the aim to safeguard competition in the market and protect customers' legitimate rights.