BMW Imported Cars Tied to Forced Labor in China

A congressional investigation found that BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen purchased parts that originated from a Chinese supplier flagged by the United States for participating in forced labor programs in Xinjiang, a far western region of China where the local population is subject to mass surveillance and detentions.

Both BMW and Jaguar Land Rover continued to import components made by the Chinese company into the United States in violation of American law, even after they were informed in writing about the presence of banned products in their supply chain, the report said.

BMW shipped to the United States at least 8,000 MINI vehicles containing the part after the Chinese supplier was added in December to a U.S. government list of companies participating in forced labor. Volkswagen took steps to correct the issue.

Jaguar Land Rover also received the letter from Lear in January, but told the committee its North American subsidiary was not informed about it, according to the report. The company continued importing the JWD component until shortly after April 22, when Lear reiterated the information to Jaguar Land Rover.