China halts imports from Hyundai, Kia - Hyundai

SEOUL, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The Chinese government has not allowed car imports from top South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia since mid-September, but has yet to officially notify the companies, a Hyundai Motor Group official said on Wednesday.

"We have not received import permits since mid-September, but we have not yet received any official notification from China's government (on the refusal)," the official added.

Local newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported on Wednesday that China had halted car imports from the two auto makers after Chinese dealers claimed Hyundai and Kia had violated anti-trust laws.

The Hyundai official declined to comment on China's motivations for the move.

Hyundai, the world's fifth-biggest auto maker, and its affiliate Kia sell around 520,000 cars in China a year, most of them produced locally, but with 50,000 units imported from South Korea, according to the official.

Shares in Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) dropped 8.17 percent to 64,100 won and Kia Motors Corp (000270.KS) were down 9.81 percent to 11,950 won, compared to a 6 percent fall in the broader market as of 0056 GMT.

(Reporting by Park Ju-min; Editing by Keiron Henderson)