On July 16, 2012 morning news, the European Union recently confirmed that, due to antitrust concerns, the EU has the company production of automotive thermal system such as air-conditioning and engine cooling products launched assault investigation. The EU's anti monopoly Commissioner spokesman Almunia (Joaquin Almunia) refused to disclose the specific name is the EU investigation company, also did not disclose the amount involved in the investigation of the company, or even to the EU will be investigated in which countries have refused to disclose. The European Union said in a statement, the European Union antitrust officials will be investigated in the relevant national competition authorities under the peer. The European Union also said: the European Commission worried about the company may have violated the EU banned commercial trade union antitrust regulations.
The EU says, the survey is part of the extensive investigation of the mechanism of the auto parts industry in the alleged cartel. The European Union before wiring harness, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags, steering wheel) and bearing manufacturer investigation. The German automotive air conditioning and cooling system of engine supplier Behr (Behr GmbH& Co) 13 said earlier European antitrust authorities have been in a survey in May of this year the company. Behr said that the company issued a statement on its website, the EU is currently on the company conducted a similar survey. After the company announced the news, the EU issued the above statement. Behr chief executive Peter Green (Peter Grunow) said: the EU on any potential violation of the anti monopoly regulations of investigation is necessary. Therefore, we will cooperate fully with the authorities in the investigation, and further strengthen the we have measures in place to comply with the provisions of the anti-monopoly of the European Union in the global scope. Behr currently has a staff of about 17400 people, with 36 production centers in the world, the company said the investigation in the German automotive supplier MAHLE company (Mahle GmbH) to acquire shares in the company long before it happened.
Behr spokesman declined to comment. Mahler Behr company currently holds 36.85% shares in the company, but the company plans to acquire a majority stake. Mahler issued a statement on the website said the EU antitrust investigation will not affect its acquisition plan, but said the antitrust investigation procedure will cause the takeover delay. Mahler spokesman declined to comment.
Assault investigation conducted by European Union antitrust committee is the first step in the antitrust efforts. The Committee has always stressed that the assault investigation is not pre survey results, also does not mean that survey firm must exist monopoly behavior.
