Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.7266 — D’Ieteren/Continental/JV) — Candidate case for simplified procedure  Text with EEA relevance
Date: 2014-07-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Belgium, distributive trades, economic concentration, merger control, motor car, motor vehicle industry, vehicle parts








C_2014227EN.01002201.xml










17.7.2014   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 227/22





Prior notification of a concentration
(Case M.7266 — D’Ieteren/Continental/JV)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
2014/C 227/15






1.


On 10 July 2014, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which SA D’Ieteren NV (‘D’Ieteren’, Belgium), controlled by the D’Ieteren family, and Continental Automotive Holding Netherlands BV (Netherlands), controlled by Continental AG (‘Continental’, Germany), acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created company constituting a joint venture (the ‘JV’) by way of purchase of shares.










2.


The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
—   for D’Ieteren: in Belgium, distribution of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Yamaha vehicles, spare parts, accessories and after-sale services for the same brands; sale of used vehicles; automotive financial services; operating and financial leasing services; in several countries in the EEA, supply of virtual key systems for car-sharing solutions; internationally, vehicle glass repair and replacement,
—   for Continental: internationally, supply of various components to the automotive industry, including braking systems, sensors, tyres and electrical and electronic products and systems,
—   for the JV: in several countries in the EEA, key systems to enable access to cars for the purposes of car-sharing solutions; provision of services (via smartphone applications, websites and software) related to car-sharing solutions, including car-booking and selection, invoicing services, reporting services and fleet management services.










3.


On preliminary examination, the European 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 Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.










4.


The European Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the European Commission.
Observations must reach the European Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the European Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number M.7266 — D’Ieteren/Continental/JV, to the following 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.