Brussels - The European Union's executive fears that an Italian plan to support the car industry could break EU rules, officials in Brussels said Friday, just days after they raised similar concerns over French and Spanish plans.

"As far as the Italian measures are concerned, we do have some concerns," European Commission competition spokesman Jonathan Todd told journalists in Brussels.

The commission "will be writing to the Italian authorities today, and we will ask them for detailed information on this system, to be provided within five working days," he said.

The commission has seen reports that the plan, approved in Italy on February 10, includes clauses which would only provide state aid to companies producing cars, motorbikes and household appliances if they sign a deal with the government first, Todd said.

"This could be discriminatory if (the aid) is not available to produce from companies which have not signed the protocol ... There might
(also) be a problem in terms of the (EU) rules on the free movement of goods," Todd said.

The commission's call for more details from Italy comes two days after the Brussels-based body gave Spain until Tuesday night to give it more information on a plan valued at 4.1 billion euros (5.2 billion dollars) to rescue the car industry there.

And it comes three days after France provided the commission with details of its 7.8-billion-euro plan to save its car industry.

Todd said that commission experts were analysing the French plan. (dpa)