Competition Law in the Automotive Industry in Europe: A Survey of Recent Developments

摘要

The present survey covers relevant developments in competition law and the automotive industry that occurred between our last survey (end of June 2016) and the end of July 2017. As has been the case in our previous reports, the industry saw a high volume of activity at both the supranational level in the EU and the national level in member and non-member states. The lion's share of the highlight cases arose from horizontal agreements. The European Commission and national authorities have continued to actively uncover cartels on most levels of the industry's value chain and related markets. We also briefly report on an ongoing investigation that has received significant media attention: an alleged cartel in which five German carmakers may be involved. In addition, a wave of damages claims arising from previously fined horizontal agreements looms on the horizon, especially with regard to the truck manufacturers' cartel but also with a view to the supplier industry.