Vietnam to fine VW for car with disputed China map

Vietnam will fine Volkswagen AG’s local distributor and an importer for showcasing a car with a navigation app reflecting Chinese territorial claims rejected by Hanoi.

VW Vietnam Auto Co faces a penalty of 20 million to 40 million dong (RM3,594 to RM7,206), while World Auto Co will be fined 40 million to 60 million dong and suspended from operating for six to nine months, said the General Department of Vietnam Customs in a statement on its website.

The model, a Touareg CR745J, was displayed at a motor show, here, last month.

Southeast Asian countries have clashed with China over maritime claims in the region, where Beijing’s so-called nine-dashline encompasses waters the United States has said could contain unexploited hydrocarbons worth US$2.5 trillion (RM10.45 trillion).

Vietnam ordered cinemas to halt screenings of DreamWorks Animation’s “Abominable” last month because it showed the nine-dash-line on a map.

There were calls for a DreamWorks boycott in the Philippines and the movie was withdrawn from a scheduled debut in Malaysia.

Another automobile importer was told last month to remove navigation apps that showed Chinese territorial claims.