Geely's Daimler deal is just a matter of course

It would be sad if Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding's surprise emergence on Friday as the biggest investor in Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler, with a 9.69-percent stake, becomes fuel for China phobia.

A German parliamentary committee is to reportedly question government officials on whether Geely violated disclosure rules and whether loopholes in securities trading law need to be closed.

Geely is not snapping up shares without consideration, it has made no secret about what it wants - access to Daimler's know-how in electric and autonomous vehicles - and in its eagerness to acquire them it has reportedly employed aggressive tactics to build the required voting stake after its earlier overture to Daimler was rejected. Although former Morgan Stanley Germany CEO Dirk Notheis is said to have been the architect of Li Shufu, Geely's founder and chairman, amassing shares in the German automaker.