On Wednesday 8 March, European Commission sanctioned six suppliers of vehicle components used in air-conditioning and engine cooling for their involvement in a cartel. The six companies in question coordinated prices and allocated markets and exchanged sensitive information on the supply of air conditioning and cooling components to certain car builders within the European Economic Area.
The first cartel ran between 2005 and the end of 2009, between Behr (Germany), Denso (Japan) and Valeo (France). There was a second between 2004 and 2009 between Denso, Sanden (Japan) and Valeo. The third was in place for a few months in 2009 between Denso and Panasonic (Japan). Finally, the fourth merger, between Calsonic (Japan) and Denso, was in existence between 2007 and 2009.
In the framework of these cartels, the coordination took place at meetings, for instance trilateral meetings in Europe in the case of one of the cartels, and by means of other collusive contact in Europe and in Japan, taking the form of bilateral meetings or electronic or telephone exchanges.
Denso was granted total immunity for having revealed the existence of three of the cartels and avoids a total fine of €287 million. Panasonic was also granted total immunity as it revealed the existence of one of the cartels, escaping a fine €200,000.
The fines of Behr, Calsonic, Denso, Sanden and Valeo were reduced as they cooperated with the Commission's investigations. Furthermore, they all received a reduction as they acknowledged their involvement and their responsibility. The total level of the fines imposed stands at €155 million.
Even though air conditioning and cooling components are not something you see as products, they are very much something you feel. In this case, you might also have felt it in your wallet even though temperatures would still be regulated in your car", said the Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager. She stressed that the decision, which mainly concerns Japanese companies, shows that the Commission takes action against cartels that "affect the European market, wherever and however they may be organised". (Original version in French by Élodie Lamer)