Eberspacher is confirming it is among car exhaust companies which were subject to unannounced inspections by European Commission (EC) authorities yesterday (25 March).
The Commission has concerns the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules prohibiting cartels and restrictive business practices and/or abuse of a dominant market position
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Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities.
“I only can confirm the investigation of the European Commission Competition Commission of our company and of course, we are co-operating with the competition anti-trust authorities,” an Eberspacher spokesman told just-auto from Germany.
“As a matter of principle we do not comment on on-going proceedings.”
Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step into suspected anti-competitive practices, but the EC stresses this does not mean the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.
A statement from the EC noted: “The Commission respects the rights of defence, in particular the right of companies to be heard in antitrust proceedings. The Commission does not make public the names of the companies inspected at this stage.
“There is no legal deadline to complete inquiries into anti-competitive conduct.
“Their duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned co-operate with the Commission and the exercise of the rights of defence.”
Other companies thought to be involved were not immediately available for comment.
