Qi Yumin, ex-chair of state-owned Huachen Auto investigated

The former chairman of Huachen Automotive, parent of BMW AG’s joint venture partner Brilliance China (1114), Qi Yumin is under investigation for suspected violation of discipline, China’s graft watchdog said, Reuters reports.

A Chinese court has accepted an application from a creditor of Huachen seeking the restructuring of the state-owned company, which defaulted on 6.5 billion yuan (HK$7.71 billion) in debt obligations.

Qi Yumin, formerly vice mayor of the port city of Dalian, was Huachen’s chairman between 2005 and 2019.

Sources told Reuters that Qi made several strategic missteps including approving an unsuccessful multi-purpose vehicle project even as consultants warned against it.

Huachen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its sitting chairman is Yan Bingzhe, a former vice mayor of Shenyang city.