BMW

Executive Director Jean-Marc F. Blanchard interviewed for Asian Sentinel story on Brilliance Boss’s HK Bribery Probe and Risks for JVs

On August 13, 2023, Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Founding Executive Director of the Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations, was interviewed by Asian Sentinel regarding the arrest in Hong Kong of the chairman of Brilliance China Automotive Holdings and the arrest’s potential implications for its joint venture partners, which include BMW and Renault. According to Asian Sentinel, Brilliance manufactures and sells certain types of cars, mini-buses, and other vehicles in China for these German and French automobile firms. Dr.

MNCs in the News-2019-09-13

Despite the United States (US)-China trade war, renowned economist highlights that US firms continue to remain in China because of the attractiveness of China as well as limits associated with the alternatives. During a meeting with a Japanese business delegation, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang welcomes more Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) in China. Although it decreased compared to 2017, Chinese outward FDI in 2018 was the second highest globally after Japan. China is moving to expand “internet plus healthcare” cooperation with BRI countries generally and BRI countries specifically. Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating whether BMW’s Japan subsidiary abused its market power to punish dealers that failed to meet sales quotas. Japan’s trade minister notes South Korea’s filing of a World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint will not affect Japan’s export control measures and that it will decide later if it wants consultations. Korean employer and business groups express worries about government plan to ratify parts of International Labor Organization (ILO) convention which they fear will make Korean labor unions more powerful. Head of LG Chem opines that his company’s lawsuit against SK Innovation in the US does not undermine the national interest.

MNCs in the News-2019-09-06

On the eve of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to China, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reports German foreign direct investment (FDI) in China grew more than 60 percent over the first seven months of 2019 year-over-year. Chinese media delivered some packaged criticisms against FedEx for the latter’s alleged shipments of controlled goods and rerouting of packages destined for Huawei. Relatively small-scale protests took place in three Kazakhstan cities against potentially questionable Chinese factory FDI. The United States (US) concludes declaration with Poland for the rigorous evaluation of foreign suppliers involved in 5G networks which some see as directed at China and Huawei. Nissan considers leaving Korea as Korea-Japan frictions make its challenging situation there even worse. Uniqlo partners with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to support research on labor markets and social security systems in some of its production hubs in South and Southeast Asia. Korean economic difficulties due to frictions with Japan encourages Hyundai union to settle with management without a strike. Korean government official meets with LG Group and SK Group executives to try to get them to resolve trade secrets dispute that LG Chem has brought to the US International Trade Commission.

MNCs in the News-2018-08-17

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reported that inward foreign direct investment (FDI) over the first seven months of 2018 grew 5.5 percent year-over-year (YOY) with strong growth in inward FDI (IFDI) in high-tech industries. MOFCOM noted that there was major growth in IFDI from countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), South Korea, and Japan over the first seven months of 2018 YOY. Hundreds of Google employees raise concerns internally about the firm’s plans to produce a censored search engine for China. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) takes over Total’s stake in Iran’s South Pars Phase II project as Total must abandon it due to re-imposition of United States (US) sanctions. Japanese regulators investigating Apple over allegations that it unfairly pressured Yahoo Japan to slow the expansion of online games platform. Japan makes economic cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region a diplomatic priority in attempt to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. South Korea places ban on over 20,000 BMWs after more than 30 engines caught fire this year due to faulty hardware. South Korean Prime Minister calls for increased cooperation with Qatar especially in infrastructure projects.

MNCs in the News-2018-07-20

BMW and Tesla roll forward in China as government paves the road to greater ownership stakes. Foreign financial institutions banking on increasing role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Cambodia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries opined that Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cambodia’s agricultural sector was bearing substantial fruit for his country. Sumitomo hopes to use agreements with Japanese local government to entice Japanese manufacturers to use rental plant areas at its Vietnamese industrial parks. Takeda optimistic about getting China’s sign-off for USD $62 billion Shire acquisition deal despite concerns of Chinese retaliation over US tariffs. LG Chem plans new battery plant in Nanjing to take advantage of the Chinese government’s electric car incentives, which are expected to disappear by 2020. New investment wave expected to hit Vietnam’s textile and garment industry boosted by Vietnam-South Korea FTA.

MNCs in the News-2017-12-01

German business association warns Chinese Communist Party request that foreign firms set up party cells may have adverse consequences. Chinese government advisor suggests Shanghai will create free-trade port represents that addresses the failings of the previous Shanghai Free Trade Zone initiative. Shanghai body asks IKEA to consider a new round of dresser and chest recalls. China’s National Development and Reform Commission promulgates list of penalties that Beijing may impose on firms that engage in illegal outward foreign direct investment (FDI) and related activities. Japanese Court to hear Toshiba Western Digital dispute on sale of flash memory division. SoftBank Group to invest USD $2.5 billion in India’s Flipkart as India’s anti-trust commission approves deal. Seoul and London sign memorandum of understanding easing approval process for Korea’s KEPCO to acquire Britain’s NuGen. Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. and POSCO Daewoo Corp. win Uzbekistan power plant deal. Jakarta has not finalized plans yet for Freeport deal as parties continue to disagree about mine’s valuation. Indonesia’s state-owned utility company Pembangkitan Kawa Bali and Abu Dhabi Future Energy agree to build world’s largest floating photovoltaic power plant. Bangkok approves USD $22.6 billion infrastructure investment in Eastern Economic Corridor, paving the way for more foreign investment projects. Thai firm will build massive power plant in Myanmar despite international outrage over Myanmar’s abuse of Rohingya. Malaysia’s central bank approves larger China’s HNA Group ownership stake in Germany’s Deutsche Bank subsidiary despite initial concerns. Foreign brewing companies eagerly await sale of Vietnam’s state-owned brewer Sabeco. Foreign M&As of Vietnamese business entities rising as Hanoi increases foreign ownership limits and privatizes state-owned enterprises.

MNCs in the News-2017-10-20

At 19th Party Congress, China promises greater market openness for foreign investors, but foreign businesses and governments cautious. Top China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) official says foreign banks may get more latitude in entering and operating in China’s banking sector. Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) plummeted 41.9 percent over the first nine months of 2016 year-over-year. In the first three quarters of 2016, Chinese outward merger and acquisitions activity drops significantly in both deal volume and size. Toyota and Mazda seek USD $1 billion incentive package from US states bidding for their joint car factory. SoftBank Group struggling to carry out US investments after several of its deals have been caught up in the CFIUS review process. US Department of Justice demands Kobe Steel release all information related to it falsified steel and metal data. SK-Sinopec JV to expand its Wuhan Petrochemical plant mirroring success of SK Innovation’s China Insider strategy. Korean battery manufacturers finding backdoors into the Chinese market despite Chinese government’s preferential treatment of domestic firms. Indonesia works to attract private investment despite bad atmosphere created by problems with Freeport-McMoran. Freeport-McMoRan facing labor union protests over anticipated layoffs. New US-Thai joint committee formed to increase bilateral investment following Thai Prime Minister’s recent US visit. Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industries leads trade mission to Europe to attract German investment. MITI reports a decline in investments this year. Vietnamese government begins implementing its divestment plan for Dung Quat Oil Refinery, attracts foreign investors. Foreign brewers eagerly awaiting Vietnamese government’s divestment plans for country’s largest domestic brewer Sabeco.

MNCs in the News-2017-02-17

American business community becomes more favorable towards “reciprocity” policy towards China. Hejun Vanguard Group files complaint against sale of McDonald’s China and Hong Kong assets. Chinese firms’ pursuit of investment in critical sectors leads Germany, France, and Italy to ask European Union (EU) to give it more powers to investigate and block investments. The United States (US) Federal Trade Commission asks Syngenta for more information regarding its proposed acquisition by China’s ChemChina. In the face of potential restrictions on Chinese firm investments in non-core businesses, Dalian Wanda eyes European bank deals. Japanese companies face investigation by South Korea’s transport ministry which has begun to investigate more firms in the wake of the Volkswagen emission manipulation scandal. Toshiba will remove itself from work on the UK’s new Moorside nuclear plant. South Korea’s Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has started its first wind power plant in Jordan. Korean outward foreign direct investment (FDI) grows significantly in 2016 with a large increase in money flowing to the US. Indonesian loosening of ban on raw mineral ore exports has many implications. Indonesian regional elections have big implications for Indonesia’s inward FDI (FDI)

MNCs in the News-2016-03-25

China announces a recall affecting BMW Mini Coopers. Chinese M&A and outward M&A deal values hit record amounts for the year to date. Leading Chinese brands are earning an increasing amount of their revenues from overseas. China Railway Group Limited to invest billions of dollars in an integrated office complex in Kuala Lumpur and will set up its regional headquarters there. China’s Railway No. 3 Engineering Group and SinoFortone Group conclude MOU with Scotland that has the potential for US $14 billion in infrastructure projects. Japan’s Inpex multibillion dollar LNG project in Indonesia may undergo a dramatic transformation due to a Presidential decision to move the project onshore. Korean prosecutors raid Volkswagen’s vehicle inspection center to probe emissions equipment on the German’s company’s new cars. Korea’s GS Engineering and Construction wins US $1.26 billion contract for world’s largest rolling stock and bus base in Singapore. A Korean consortium including Daewoo Engineering and Construction and Hanwha Engineering Construction have won a $18-20 billion housing project in Saudi Arabia. Korean firms will invest in Russian Far East for “fishy reasons.” At the BOAO Forum for Asia, Indonesia Vice President Jusuf Kalla says his country needs to improve its regulatory efficiency. Indonesia aims to secure a 30 percent increase in FDI from China in 2016. Thai Deputy Prime Minister courts South Korean investment. Vietnam grants Samsung Electronics Vietnam permission to establish a USD $300 million research and development project in Hanoi.

MNCs in the News-2015-01-09

BMW agrees to give China car dealers RMB 5.1 billion in subsidies to address dealer concerns. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) terminates 17 rare earth mineral export quotas. Li Keqiang to attend Davos Forum for the first time in six years. Shanghai Husi lashes out at Shanghai Food and Drug Administration. China promises US $250 billion in investment in Latin America over next 10 years. China Construction Bank (CCB) wins branch license from the UK Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority. Honda slapped with US $70 million fine by US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Sony’s satire “The Interview” (about North Korea) proves to be a success on the Internet despite hacker threats. US FBI states there is strong evidence that North Korea was guilty of cyber attack against Sony. FDI into Korea in 2014 jumped due to free trade agreements and government policy initiatives. Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency to step up efforts to realize government inward foreign direct investment goals for 2015.

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