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EU Hands $84.5 Million Cartel Fine to Makers of Car Starter Batteries
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 15, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
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Quick Summary
The EU fined several battery makers $84.5 million for a long-running cartel that impacted car manufacturing costs. Clarios, which revealed the cartel, was not fined.
EU Issues $84.5 Million Fine to Car Battery Cartel Members
Dec 15 (Reuters) - The European Commission has fined three makers of starter batteries for cars and a trade association around 72 million euros ($84.54 million) for participating in a long-running cartel, in breach of EU antitrust rules, it said on Monday.
The commission said battery makers Clarios, Exide, FET and Rombat, and trade association EUROBAT had for more than 12 years entered into anticompetitive deals and engaged in concerted practices related to the sale of automotive starter batteries in the European Economic Area.
"This cartel restricted competition and may have led to higher prices for the manufacturing of cars and trucks in Europe," the commission said.
Clarios was not fined, as it had revealed the cartel to the Commission.
The largest fine, of 30 million euros, was handed to Exide
Automotive starter batteries are primarily used in vehicles powered by combustion engines, such as passenger cars or trucks.
($1 = 0.8516 euros)
(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Bart Meijer)
Key Takeaways
- •The EU fined battery makers for a 12-year cartel.
- •Clarios, Exide, FET, and Rombat were involved.
- •Clarios avoided fines by revealing the cartel.
- •Exide received the largest fine of 30 million euros.
- •The cartel affected car and truck manufacturing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions about EU hands $84.5 million cartel fine to makers of car starter batteries
1What is a cartel?
A cartel is a group of independent businesses that collaborate to control prices and limit competition in a market, often leading to higher prices for consumers.
2What is antitrust law?
Antitrust law refers to regulations that promote competition and prevent monopolistic practices in the marketplace to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.
3What is the European Commission?
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's policies and budget.
4What are automotive starter batteries?
Automotive starter batteries are rechargeable batteries used to start internal combustion engines in vehicles, providing the necessary power to crank the engine.
