BERLIN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the European Commission have searched the offices of German carmakers as part of investigations into the country's automotive industry "cartel" scandal on Monday.
Daimler, Volkswagen and Audi confirmed "announced inspections." The EU Commission refused to confirm the identity of corporations affected but confirmed that the searches affected at least two carmakers in Germany.
On Friday, EU competition authorities had already paid a visit to the headquarters of BMW in Munich.
The Commission is currently conducting a preliminary investigation to determine whether German carmakers colluded illegally on sourcing, technology, strategy and pricing during the 1990s.
Daimler recently confirmed that it had made a voluntary declaration of illicit behavior in a bid to secure immunity from potential fines as a principal witness.
"We are cooperating fully with the authorities," Daimler chief financial officer Bodo Uebber told the press.
