The European Commission has fined OE equipment suppliers Behr, Calsonic, Denso, Panasonic, Sanden and Valeo a total of EU €155 million for taking part in one or more of four cartels concerning supplies of air conditioning and engine cooling components to VMs in Europe.
Although the fine has only just been handed out, the offences date back to 2009.
All six suppliers acknowledged their involvement in the cartels and agreed to settle the case. Denso was not fined for three of the cartels as it revealed their existence to the Commission. Panasonic was not fined for one of the cartels as it revealed its existence to the Commission.
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy said: “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. Today’s decision underlines that we do not accept cartels that affect the European market, wherever and however they may be organised.”
Excellent cover
Also worth noting that some Companies such as Philips and Osram are preventing products that conform to highest quality approvals by including parts that they have a patent or copyright cover
With patent details not required to be published, alternatives cannot be provided without legal concerns