Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of French automotive supplier FDI's motorised vehicles business by rival Delphi
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the motorised vehicles business of FCI S.A. (FCI MVL) of France by Delphi Holding Luxembourg Sarl of Luxembourg. Both parties produce connectors used in motorised vehicles. The Commission found that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns because it would not significantly alter the market structure.
Both parties produce automotive connectors. However, the Commission's investigation found that they have a moderate combined market share and a number of credible competitors remain active in this market. Furthermore, their customers - automobile manufacturers - have so-called 'buyer power' (i.e. the ability to influence the terms under which they buy the products in question) and they can easily change suppliers.
Delphi is also active in a number of downstream markets which incorporate connectors. However, Delphi does not enjoy so-called 'market power' (i.e. the ability to raise prices above competitive levels) downstream and, in most cases, customers decide which connectors they want to be used in their downstream products. In addition, the existence of extensive commercial relations with other manufacturers of downstream products would sanction any anticompetitive conduct from Delphi.
The Commission therefore concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
The transaction was notified to the Commission on 22 June 2012.
Companies and products
Delphi is a global vehicle components manufacturer. It offers its clients inter alia connectors for automotive applications and products incorporating automotive connectors. FCI MVL is a specialised manufacturer of connectors for automotive applications.
Merger control rules and procedures
The Commission has the duty to assess mergers and acquisitions involving companies with a turnover above certain thresholds (see Article 1 of the Merger Regulation) and to prevent concentrations that would significantly impede effective competition in the EEA or any substantial part of it.
The vast majority of mergers do not pose competition problems and are cleared after a routine review. From the moment a transaction is notified, the Commission generally has a total of 25 working days to decide whether to grant approval (Phase I) or to start an in-depth investigation (Phase II).
Source: EUROPA
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