The merger cannot close until the Commission approves a buyer, which must already be active in coatings or a related industry. The European Commission has approved the all-stock merger of equals between AkzoNobel N.V. and Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. on the condition that AkzoNobel sell its European vehicle refinish business, the companies announced Nov. 6. […]
AkzoNobel Confirms Plan to Sell European Refinish Business to Win EU Approval of Axalta Merger
AkzoNobel’s CEO said the European refinish sale and Axalta’s North American wood coatings sale are the only remedies regulators have requested. AkzoNobel N.V. confirmed Oct. 21 that it plans to sell its European vehicle refinish business to win European Commission approval of its roughly $25 billion merger with Axalta Coating Systems Ltd., while Axalta plans […]
European Commission Fines 15 Car Manufacturers $496 Million for End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Cartel
UK also issues more than $100 million in fines as vehicle manufacturers and their associations admitted engaging in anticompetitive behavior on end-of-life vehicle recycling. The European Commission has imposed fines totaling approximately €458 million ($496 million) on 15 major car manufacturers and the European Automobiles Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for participating in a cartel related to […]
European Automotive Aftermarket Calls for Urgent Regulatory Action on In-Vehicle Data Access
As the automotive industry transitions toward a future shaped by data-driven services, the European Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair (AFCAR), representing key stakeholders in the aftermarket sector, today called for immediate action to guarantee fair and open access to in-vehicle data. Among the members of AFCAR is the Association Internationale des Réparateurs en […]
European Independent Service and Repair Providers Urge the EU Commission to End Delay on Access to In-Vehicle Data Legislation
A group of ten associations representing independent automotive service and repair operators and fleets wrote to the EU Commission in support of legislation on access to in-vehicle data. The Independent Service Providers (ISPs) grouping wrote to EU Commission President von der Leyen and the relevant College of Commissioners to put an end to the repeated […]
Secure Vehicle Interface Demo Illustrates Vehicle Data Access Solution for European Regulators
The Auto Care Association, along with Michelin and Enterprise Holdings, produced a demonstration on September 8 for the European Commission and other interested constituents around the world on the Secure Vehicle Interface (SVI). SVI is a standards-based technology that enables cyber secure access to in-vehicle data to trusted third parties. The European Commission is currently […]
European Commission Fines Car Safety Equipment Suppliers $413 Million in Antitrust Settlement
Three suppliers conspired to raise prices on seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels to Volkswagen and BMW. The European Commission announced March 5 that it has fined Autoliv and TRW a total of €368,277,000 ($413.5 million) for breaching EU antitrust rules by participating in a cartel to raise the prices of automotive safety parts. Takata, the […]