EU auto sector drives into protectionism row

The European Commission, increasingly concerned about protectionist tendencies in member states, has asked France, Spain and, on Friday, Italy to justify their auto sector aid packages.
The EU's executive arm has "some concerns" over Italy's plan to aid its ailing auto sector and was writing to Rome Friday to seek more details, a spokesman said Friday.
"The commission will write to the Italian authorities today asking them to provide precise details on the measures within five working days," he added.