BELGIUM: VW cleared to control Swedish distributor

The European Commission has given clearance under EU merger regulations to the acquisition by Volkswagen AG of full control of Svenska Volkswagen AB, its exclusive wholesale distributor for Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda as well as Porsche in Sweden, writes Alan Osborn. Commission officials said the deal, one of a number in which VW has recently sought to increase its presence in the European market, did not raise concerns over competition, either in motor distribution or in terms of the car-maker's own position, and the deal was dealt with under the simplified merger review procedure.