Volkswagen Catches Chinese Partner Stealing Designs For The Second Time

A few months ago, Volkswagen extended its joint venture contract with Chinese partner FAW for another 25 years, with appropriate pomp and circumstance: Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel witnessed the signature. Now, Volkswagen takes the unusual step of going semi-public with the theft of intellectual property. According to reports in German media, FAW has “systematically and repeatedly” stolen designs of important components such as engines and transmissions. Volkswagen’s hands are tied.

Volkswagen managers caught partner FAW stealing designs for the Volkswagen transmission MQ 200, writes Germany’s Handelsblatt in a long article which names several (albeit anonymous) Volkswagen managers as sources. “It’s a catastrophe,” a VW exec told the paper.

 

TehShibbs - 7/27/2012 3:37:13 PM

-2 Boost

What next, an article about a crooked politian? How about an article on a short midget?

Eyecarehawaii - 7/27/2012 7:36:50 PM

+4 Boost

Business as usual when you deal with the Chinese.

I get the distinct feeling that the Chinese government actually (albeit not openly) encourages this kind of behaviour. These IP thefts are not limited to VW or car makers but are reported in amost every segment. It's the price you pay when doing business with the Chinese.

HughJass - 7/28/2012 4:53:24 AM

+4 Boost

It's not a question of IF but of WHEN China and the U.S. go to war. When that happens, VW won't need to worry about China as a market because it probably won't exist after the U.S. is done.

Business as usual. I'm sure the Chinese gov't will look into it. That's the price of shopping at Walmart dummies.