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EU competition daily: €72m automotive batteries cartel; first FSR conditional approval; merger clearances and Article 22 referral appeal; Denmark and Spain State aid (15 December 2025)

Published on: 15 December 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Competition expert
Legal News
Table of contents
  • Antitrust
  • Foreign Subsidies Regulation
  • Mergers
  • State aid
  • Upcoming dates
Article summary

Antitrust Commission fines automotive starter battery manufacturers and association €72m for cartel conduct

The Commission adopted an infringement decision imposing aggregate fines of €72m overall on three automotive starter battery manufacturers (Exide, FET (including its predecessor Elettra) and Rombat) and on a trade association (EUROBAT) for their role in a cartel involving automotive starter batteries. Clarios escaped a fine after disclosing the cartel to the Commission under the 2006 Leniency Notice. Cases against Banner and Kellen have been closed. The investigation determined that, between 2005 and 2017, the four manufacturers, supported by EUROBAT, coordinated the setting, publication and application of industry-wide EUROBAT premiums based on their lead procurement costs. These premiums were printed in the Metal Bulletin and used during price negotiations with car and lorry manufacturers in the EEA to keep surcharge levels above those that would otherwise have prevailed under normal competitive conditions...

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