BMW gets access to the 700-auto batch at Vietnam's customs

By Van Anh - Jul 10, 2017 | 12:18 PM GMT+7

TheLEADERIn response to claim by BMW's representative on occassion of visit to Germany, the Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc confirmed the automaker BMW could access its batch of cars being held at HCM City’s port for maintenance but the firm must replace its local dealer Euro Auto due to violations of the country’s regulations

BMW gets access to the 700-auto batch at Vietnam's customs
A batch of BMW branded luxury cars may be cleared at Vietnam's port. Photo: Internet

BMW gets access to the 700-auto batch

Notably, in the morning of July 6th (local time), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with German enterprises, including BMW automakers.

Mr. Karsten Engel, Regional Manager BMW in Southeast Asia, mentioned the batch of 700 autos worth 15 million euros which is being held in Ho Chi Minh City’s port. This car batch is rusting away and has restricted the car trade between BMW and Vietnam for the last 7 months.

In answer to this issue, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that it is not BMW but its agent in Vietnam that would have to take the blame for this incident. The customs clearance of this batch has been halted, due to numerous violations found in the imports of BMW’s dealer in Ho Chi Minh City - Euro Auto Company - in late 2016.

“We will continue to investigate and strictly punish the violators in order to protect the legal rights and interests of the investors.”, PM Phuc said.

He immediately directed the Customs Office in Vietnam to allow BMW automakers to access this batch and perform maintenance on condition that BMW replaces its local dealers.