The European Commission has fined several European car battery manufacturers and the professional association EUROBAT approximately 72 million euros after finding a cartel that has restricted competition in the vehicle battery market and led to higher prices for cars and trucks manufactured in Europe.
According to a Commission press release, four manufacturers – Clarios, Exide, FET, and Rombat – along with the association EUROBAT, engaged in anti-competitive agreements and concerted practices related to battery sales for over 12 years.
The investigation covered the period 2004–2017 and was initiated in September 2017.
The Commission found that the manufacturers, supported by EUROBAT, agreed to introduce a standardized markup, the so-called "EUROBAT premiums," calculated based on the lead price and published in the specialized magazine Metal Bulletin.
These premiums were later used in negotiations with major auto manufacturers to maintain prices at a higher level than would have resulted in a normal competitive framework.
The European executive emphasizes that it is illegal for suppliers to secretly coordinate the use of such a markup across the entire sector.
Clarios benefited from full immunity after informing the Commission about the cartel's existence under the leniency program. FET and Rombat, in turn, cooperated with the investigation, obtaining reductions of 50% and 30% in their fines, respectively.
Ultimately, the Commission imposed the following sanctions:
0 euros for Clarios,
- 6.11 million euros for FET (of which 5.3 million euros jointly with Resonac),
- 15.5 million euros for Elettra (predecessor of FET),
- 20.2 million euros for Rombat (of which 11.5 million euros jointly with Metair),
- 30 million euros for Exide
- 125,000 euros for EUROBAT, for its role as an intermediary.
For another involved company, Dofin, the fine was capped at 0 euros as it is no longer economically active.
The Commission also announced that it accepted requests for inability to pay from some companies and allowed the fines to be paid in pre-established annual installments.
Rombat's Reaction
In the case of Rombat, the Commission agreed to spread the payment of the fine over 51 months, with an initial installment of 4.2 million euros due on December 15, 2025.
In a public statement, Rombat specified that the total fine of 20.2 million euros involves the joint liability of the parent company Metair and its subsidiary in the Netherlands for the amount of 11.6 million euros, based on the legal presumption of the parent company's decisive influence.
However, the company disputes this interpretation and argues that key decisions regarding the application of EUROBAT premiums had already been established before Rombat's acquisition by Metair in 2012.
Rombat warns that the sanction could have serious financial implications on its operations but states that it continues its activities in line with the strategy agreed with Metair and remains a significant employer and major contributor to the budget in Bistrița-Năsăud County.
Car starting batteries are essential for starting internal combustion engines and powering the electrical systems of vehicles.
According to the European Commission, price coordination in this sector directly affected auto manufacturers and indirectly impacted consumers across the European Union.