A group of car starter battery manufacturers, including Banner, Clarios, Exide, FIAMM Energy Technology (FET), and Rombat, are set to contest accusations of operating a cartel to fix battery prices in the European Union. The companies, along with trade body Eurobat and its service provider Kellen, will present their arguments at a closed hearing in Brussels next week.
The European Commission charged the companies last year, alleging collusion to increase prices of automotive starter batteries sold to car producers in Europe between 2004 and 2017. The companies are accused of creating, publishing, and agreeing to use new indexes in their price negotiations with carmakers under the Eurobat Premium system.
While companies typically plead their case at such hearings before senior Commission officials, regulators, rivals, and customers, any outcomes may lead to the narrowing of charges, though this is infrequent.
If found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules, the companies face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover. The Commission, Banner, and FET declined to comment, while Kellen stated it has submitted its defense to the Commission and will be represented by its lawyers at the hearing.
Clarios, Exide, Rombat, and Eurobat did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The companies involved in the case manufacture 12-volt lead batteries used to start most combustion engine cars.
