IP/06/1868
Brussels, 20th December 2006
Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Scania by MAN
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the planned acquisition by MAN AG of Germany of Scania AB, Sweden. After an investigation of all markets affected, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said: “The Commission is satisfied that competition on price and technology will remain strong in the future on the bus and truck markets, in particular considering the increasing importance of environmentally-friendly technologies in this sector."
MAN is a German company which develops, manufactures and sells medium-sized and heavy trucks as well as buses, coaches, chassis and floor assemblies for buses. In addition, MAN manufactures and sells industrial and marine engines, large diesel engines and provides industrial services. The company's main activities are in Europe.
Scania is a Swedish company which develops, manufactures and sells heavy trucks, buses and chassis for buses. Moreover, Scania produces industrial and marine engines for various applications. Scania is focused on European markets.
The merger combines two of the largest European truck and bus manufacturers. However, the Commission found that European bus and truck markets would remain competitive even after the proposed acquisition, because the merged entity would still face strong competition from a number of other important manufacturers such as DaimlerChrysler, Volvo, Iveco and DAF.
As competition for the sale of buses and trucks still takes place to at least a certain extent at national level, the Commission assessed a large number of markets in countries within the EEA where MAN and Scania are both active. The Commission focused its investigation on those markets where the merger would have the largest impact.
Swedish market for city buses
On the Swedish market for city buses, the combination of MAN and Scania would lead to a relatively high market share for the merged entity. The Commission examined whether customers would be adversely affected as a result of the proposed merger, for example through price increases for city buses or reduced competition for environmentally-friendly bus technologies in Sweden. The Commission concluded that MAN’s proposed acquisition of Scania as an independent supplier of city buses is unlikely to significantly impede competition in this market, which is currently very competitive. The presence of several large buyers such as the pan-European bus operators Arriva, Keolis and Veolia (formerly Connex) and competition in Sweden from well-established suppliers Volvo, DaimlerChrysler (with significant market shares), as well as other smaller bus manufacturers, ensures that competition would continue to be effective in this market.
Iberian markets for inter-city buses and tourist coaches
In the Spanish and Portuguese markets for inter-city buses and tourist coaches, MAN and Scania would also have high market shares. However, the Commission’s investigation showed that not only are DaimlerChrysler, Volvo and Iveco well-represented in these markets, but also that there are a number of local bus manufacturers who buy ready-made chassis, build the bus body themselves and sell the finished buses to end-customers. These "body-builders" have a strong local presence and are close to the customers. The combined presence in Spain and Portugal of large integrated bus manufacturers and local "body-builders" allowed the Commission to conclude that the proposed merger would not reduce competition in these markets.
Austrian market for heavy trucks
In the Austrian market for heavy trucks the combined MAN and Scania would be
the largest supplier by far. However, DaimlerChrysler, Volvo, DAF and Iveco are
all present in Austria and there are no capacity constraints which would prevent
these competitors from increasing their sales if MAN and Scania were to try to
raise prices after the proposed merger.
More information on the case will be
available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/index/m86.html#m_4336
