Brussels, 08/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 7 March, the European Commission approved the planned acquisition of the Engine Products Group division (Dana EPG) of US based Dana Corporation by the German automotive supplier Mahle GmbH. Dana EPG manufactures connecting rod bearings and piston rings for internal combustion engines. Mahle supplies the automotive and the engine industry with components and systems for combustion engines, including connecting rod bearings and piston rings, piston systems, cylinder components, valve train systems, air management systems and liquid management systems.
The Commission investigated the likely impact of the proposed merger both on the markets for original equipment manufacture and supply (where the customers are engine producers) and on the very small independent aftermarkets (where the customers are mainly distributors to engine repair shops). The Commission considered the limited extent of the merging parties' overlap, the strong position of some competing suppliers and the negotiating position of customers, and concluded that the proposed merger would not have a negative impact on effective competition. (cd)