Antitrust rules for auto sector soon

China's anti-monopoly regulator has started the drafting of antitrust guidelines for the automobile industry, which are likely to involve issues emerging from online sales and parallel car imports.

A first draft is expected for public consultation by the end of the year with a final version to be published by the anti-monopoly commission under the State Council "in due course", sources close to the process told China Daily.

The National Development and Reform Commission sent out its first round of questionnaires which form the basis for the guidelines in early July, to automakers, suppliers, dealers, service providers and trade associations.