Audi Fined €31 Million for Price Fixing in China

China's anti-trust commission has levied a €31 million fine against Volkswagen AG's Audi unit in China for fixing prices.

The National Development and Reform Commission also fined Chrysler Group €4 million for the same offense.

NDRC's fines are the commission's first against carmakers. Last month the NDRC commission fined 12 Japanese suppliers a record €152 million for anti-monopoly violations and warned that several carmakers also faced punishment.

Earlier this week more than 100 European partsmakers backed the NDRC investigations. They complained through the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China that carmakers have restricted their ability to sell repair parts directly in the aftermarket, thus driving up retail parts prices.