Investigation by Antitrust Authorities
Stuttgart, July 13, 2012
Behr confirms that the European Commission has initiated investigation proceedings due to suspected competition-restricting practices pertaining to thermal systems for automobiles, which proceedings also concern Behr.
In this connection the European Commission carried out an inspection at Behr in Stuttgart in May. A similar investigation is currently underway in the USA in cooperation with the local Department of Justice.
The investigation proceedings concern possible events that took place well in advance of MAHLE’s shareholding in Behr. MAHLE currently has a 36.85 percent stake in Behr. MAHLE as a company is in no way affected by this inspection. The subject of the investigation pertains to circumstances involving exclusively Behr.
As the investigation is at an early stage it is not possible at present to say how long it will take.
Behr CEO Peter Grunow comments as follows: “Behr is taking these proceedings very seriously. Compliance with applicable law, including antitrust and competition law, is an integral componentof our corporate culture. Accordingly, it is essential that any potential violation is looked into. We will therefore cooperate fully with the investigating authorities and further intensify the activities we already have in place to promote compliance on a global scale.”
Company brief and business development:
Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, Germany, is a systems partner of the international automobile industry. A specialist for automotive air conditioning and engine cooling systems, the Behr Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of original equipment for light vehicles and trucks. In the first six months of 2012 the specialist in automotive air conditioning and engine cooling succeeded in securing Group sales of around EUR 1.9 billion, which corresponds to an increase of two percent compared to the same period last year. Behr was able to balance out negative effects resulting from the financial crisis in Europe through positive trends in North America and China. The company has also made a decision to expand its activities in Asia by establishing two new plants in the north and west of China as well as in Korea to cater for the growth in this region.
For further information, please contact:
Behr GmbH & Co. KG
Wiebke Wöllner
Group Communications
Mauserstrasse 3
70469 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 711/896-2057
Fax: +49 (0) 711/8902-2057
 wiebke.woellner@behrgroup.com
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