- Title: Pressure builds on Volkswagen supervisory board
- Date: 26th July 2017
- Summary: WOLFSBURG, GERMANY (JULY 26, 2017) (REUTERS) VW CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR HANS-GERD BODE ARRIVING FOR STATEMENT (SOUNDBITE) (German) VW CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, HANS-GERD BODE, SAYING: "Basically, it is in many cases necessary and not objectionable to discuss with other manufacturers possible industrial standards, especially if there are no regulatory approaches. As manufacturers, we are increasing our innovative speed and improving the quality of our products. So, above all, our customers benefit from this because we can make innovations more accessible and cheaper than if each individual manufacturer develops them individually and in parallel. Such cooperation between manufacturers is permissible, in particular, in two cases. First, if they do not contain an individual definition, and second, if there are no differentiating components of vehicles which do not dictate or even define the competition between brands. This includes, for example, the development of a single charging socket for electric vehicles. Ladies and gentlemen, this is what I can tell you today at this point on the current state of affairs. Whenever there is something new, we will inform you accordingly. Thank you very much." MEDIA BODE LEAVING LOWER SAXONY PREMIER STEPHAN WEIL ARRIVING FOR STATEMENT CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (German) LOWER SAXONY PREMIER, STEPHAN WEIL, SAYING: "As you know, as far as we are concerned, we don't have sufficient knowledge. This question has been discussed openly during the supervisory Board today. We all agree that the supervisory board will be informed in detail when it comes to future incidents." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (German) LOWER SAXONY PREMIER, STEPHAN WEIL, SAYING: "In the end it always goes down one question: is it still about legal and competitive neutral discussions and agreements between car companies, or has it become an illicit and competitive-influenced, restrictive agreement? This is a very difficult decision, which can ultimately be answered only by the cartel experts. I strongly hope that this clarification by the anti-trust authorities will be carried out as quickly as possible so that all participants have clarity. I would also like to and would expect Volkswagen to comply with all the wishes of the cartel authorities as far as they exist. As far as it is possible under the legal conditions, and also an open communication with the public." WEIL TALKING WITH OFFICIALS
- Embargoed: 9th August 2017 20:41
- Keywords: Volkswagen VW cartel allegations statement
- Location: WOLFSBURG, GERMANY
- City: WOLFSBURG, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Company News Markets,Economic Events
- Reuters ID: LVA0016RCQIKT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Volkswagen said cooperation among carmakers on technical issues is a common industry practice but declined comment on allegations that it engaged in anti-competitive conduct with other German carmakers.
Volkswagen, Daimler, BMW, Audi and Porsche have faced a barrage of public criticism after a report by German magazine Der Spiegel last Friday said carmakers had colluded for decades on prices, technologies and the choice of suppliers to the detriment of foreign rivals.
VW's supervisory board called Wednesday's meeting after the European Commission confirmed on Saturday that it had received information on suspected collusion and was investigating it.
Companies found guilty of breaching EU cartel rules face fines of as much as 10 percent of their global turnover.
Almost two years after VW's emissions-test cheating scandal broke, carmakers are keen to avert another industry crisis as they grapple with calls by German politicians to clean up their diesel engines or face their cars being banned in major cities.
At stake is whether German carmakers had used secret technology working groups to discuss issues and whether such talks constituted anti-competitive behaviour. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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