Recording internal conversations causes trouble at Volkswagen. The supplier Prevent, which has fallen out of favor, accuses the Wolfsburgers of illegal agreements and is now examining legal steps. Probably not for the first time, because in Germany alone, both companies are currently arguing in ten cases.
The bugging incident at Volkswagen could lead to further legal disputes with the former supplier Prevent. "Since the actions of VW Prevent have deliberately damaged, we are currently examining legal steps against Volkswagen ourselves," said a spokesman for the supplier group in Frankfurt.
At the weekend it became known that a stranger had recorded the conversations of an internal VW working group that dealt with the Group's handling of the disputed supplier in 2017 and 2018. VW has been in a clinch with Prevent for years and terminated all contractual relationships in 2018.
Volkswagen was shocked by the recordings on Sunday and announced that it would investigate the process. Prevent claims to have nothing to do with the creation of the records. "So far we have no knowledge of the content of these records," said a spokesman. The Braunschweig public prosecutor has not yet received a complaint about the spy affair.
Allegations weigh heavily
"According to media reports, there are violations of antitrust law, possible stock-insider transactions, false statements to the authorities and courts, and unacceptable dealings with many suppliers in the room. This should call the responsible authorities on the scene," said Prevent.
Among other things, the working group debated whether the company should be sorted out as a supplier to VW – as ultimately happened. In addition, the online business magazine "Business Insider" quoted statements from the recordings, according to which VW could have discussed with Daimler and BMW how the takeover of the supplier Grammer by the Prevent owner family Hastor could be prevented.
Volkswagen and Daimler have denied agreements, BMW does not want to comment on alleged internal talks at VW. According to Prevent, a good ten proceedings against VW are currently pending before German courts alone. It is about the conditions and termination of individual supply contracts.
Prevent has also filed a lawsuit in the United States seeking damages of $ 750 million because VW is said to have put pressure on suppliers to reject the Hastor family's acquisition opportunities. For its part, VW wants to claim the damage from a delivery freeze in Germany in 2016 and puts this at more than 100 million euros. Prevent is also arguing with Daimler and wants compensation from the Swabians – here too there are no longer supply relationships.
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