BERLIN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported Monday that Daimler AG at least partially withdrew from secret meetings with other carmakers which it deemed problematic with view to competition law.
The Stuttgart-based company's decision was supposedly prompted by the 1.1 billion euros (1.28 billion U.S. dollars) fine imposed by the European Commission after the world's largest truck maker had been found guilty of forming a cartel of truck manufacturers in 2011.
Speaking to Xinhua, a Daimler representative confirmed that the company had put a "comprehensive competition law -- compliance program" which it continuously "improves and adapts" in place but decline to comment on speculations "as a matter of principle."
Leading German automotive firms are under suspicion of having formed an illegal cartel. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen have allegedly held secret and illicit meetings since the 1990s to coordinate vehicle technology, cost, suppliers, markets and strategy.
Nonetheless, tensions appeared to surface between producers as Uwe Hueck, head of Porsche's worker's council, said he felt "betrayed" by the "tricks" of corporate sister company Audi. The brands Porsche and Audi are both owned by Volkswagen AG.
The German Federal Competition Authority (Bundeskartellamt) refused to comment on ongoing investigations as a matter of principle. Suspicions of collusion on steel prices for the automotive industry had first already led competition authorities to conduct searches back in the summer of 2016.
The European Commission has been alarmed by the accusations against German carmakers and is also investigating the alleged formation of a cartel. Newsmagazine Spiegel reported that the Commission had already seized documents and begun questioning employees.
