Anti-trust watchdog searches BMW’S HQ

BMW’S HEADQUARTERS in Munich has been raided by the EU as they look for evidence the car giant was part of a cartel with its German peers.

Investigators from the EU anti-trust watchdog searched the company’s offices earlier this week, BMW said yesterday, in a sign an investigation into alleged collusion between German car makers is being stepped up.

The investigation began this summer after reports that BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen Group worked together on technical standards that could have allowed them to set prices.

Daimler – which owns the upmarket Mercedes marque – first reported the cooperation to watchdogs in a move that could see it pay lower fines should any illegal activity be uncovered.

Last month Margrethe Vestager, the EU’S Competition Commissioner, said investigators are checking to see if “completely legal cooperation” between German car companies could amount to a cartel.

In a statement, BMW said EU investigators “conducted an inspection” of its Munich base, and no formal proceedings have been opened against the company.

Separately yesterday, Daimler said its profits fell in the third quarter. Sales of vehicles at the group were up 9pc at 824,000 in the threemonth period, pushing revenue up 6pc. However, net profit fell 17pc to €2.3bn (£2.1bn), after its Mercedes car division was hit with a huge recall and work to modify older diesel engines.