Official Journal of the European Union

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9900 – ZF China/Wolong/Wolong ZF Automotive Electric Motors JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 298/05)

1. On 28 August 2020, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 ( 1 ) This notification concerns the following undertakings: — ZF China Investment Co., Ltd. (‘ZF China’, People’s Republic of China), a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen AG (‘ZF’, Germany, together with its affiliates ‘ZF Group’), — Wolong Electric Group Co., Ltd. (‘Wolong’, People’s Republic of China), a subsidiary of Wolong Holding Group Co., Ltd. (‘Wolong Holding’, together with its affiliates ‘Wolong Group’), — Wolong ZF Automotive Electric Motors Co., Ltd., (‘Wolong ZF Automotive Electric Motors’, People’s Republic of China), a newly created company. ZF China and Wolong acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of the Wolong ZF Automotive Electric Motors. The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — for ZF: ZF is a global supplier of products for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and industrial technology. Products include in particular gearboxes, steering, axles, clutches, dampers, chassis components and systems, active and passive safety technology for automotive applications and other associated components, — for Wolong: Wolong is a motor and drive manufacturer. The products of Wolong, inter alia, include various (electric) motors and controlling systems, photovoltaic power stations, UPS batteries and construction machinery, — for Wolong ZF Automotive Electric Motors: the purpose of the joint venture is the development, design, manufacturie and sale of electric motors and related services thereto for automotive markets worldwide.

3. On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4. The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified: M.9900 – ZF China/Wolong/Wolong ZF Automotive Electric Motors JV Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below: Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu Fax +32 22964301 Postal address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Merger Registry 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2) OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.