Comments
The Centre has begun an inquiry into MG Motor India over alleged financial irregularities, according to people with knowledge of the matter, deepening a scrutiny of Chinese firms operating in the country.
The probe against the local unit of the Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor Corp has been initiated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
The scrutiny started after a detailed analysis of the company’s financial statements indicated suspicious related-party transactions, alleged tax evasion, under and over-invoicing of bills and other irregularities, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is not public.
The company’s top management, including directors, managing director and auditors have been summoned next month by the ministry seeking more clarification, the people said.
The move follows similar action against other China-based firms including Xiaomi, local units of ZTE, Oppo and Vivo amid continued hostility between the two nuclear-armed neighbours since 2020 when the deadliest fighting in decades erupted along their disputed Himalayan border.
Related Stories
Tata Group to add up to 45,000 workers at iPhone parts plant
Indian companies trying to benefit from Apple diversifying its supply chain beyond ChinaMG Motor said it has been a sent a notice seeking clarifications on why the company posted an operational loss in the first year of business in 2019-2020.
“We fully cooperate with the government authorities on all issues and are in process of providing the desired records and information to the Registrar of Companies within the stipulated time frame,” the company said in a statement.
The company added that it is impossible for any automobile company to be profitable in the first year of operations.
“This is because of the huge capex investment required and the long gestation period in a highly competitive market such as India where many multinationals have struggled for decades and have accumulated losses,” MG Motor said, adding that its accounts were audited.
MG Motor recorded its highest-ever output of 5,008 units, including 1,000 electric vehicles, in October as supply of semiconductors improved, MG said in a separate statement Tuesday. The company’s retail sales jumped 53 per cent to 4,367 units last month from a year earlier, it said.
Related Stories
Maruti share down due to declining demand for small cars: Chairman
Expects rise in company’s SUVs, MUVs salesThe ministry declined to comment for this story.
The Centre has banned more than 300 Chinese mobile applications, including shopping services from Alibaba Group Holding, the TikTok short video hit from ByteDance and apps used on Xiaomi phones.
The ministry is already investigating the account books of more than 500 Chinese companies to look into allegations of significant financial impropriety, Bloomberg News had reported earlier.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.