Brussels, 06/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Swedish heavy goods vehicle manufacturers Volvo and Scania have proposed to cede 15% of their market share in Sweden and Norway, and 10% in Finland, to answer the European Commission's fears over the effects of the merger on the Scandinavian markets of utility vehicles. This is what a spokesperson for Volvo and Scania indicated this weekend. The deadline to present new undertakings has passed and the Commission must make a decision next 14 march, increased the pressure by insinuating that it could oppose the proposed merger. However the negotiations continue between the manufacturers and the European competition services. Legally the notification of the project may still be withdrawn and a new merger proposal can be presented. Representatives from Volvo continue to show optimism, while believing that the Commission should take into account the European market as a whole in which Volvo and Scania hold only 20% and not just the Scandinavian market that the two manufacturers dominate with a 60% share.