Memo: Antitrust: Commission confirms investigation into suspected cartel in the sector of automotive electrical and electronic components suppliers

The European Commission can confirm that, starting on 24 February 2010, Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections in several Member States at the premises of companies active in the sector of automotive electrical distribution systems (sometimes referred to as wiring harnesses) and of other components for automotive electronic and electrical distribution systems. The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – TFEU and Article 53 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area). The Commission's investigation is being coordinated with several other competition authorities worldwide