EC: "Samenwerking Mapfre en Groep Salvador Caetano geen gevaar voor Europese concurrentie" (en)

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control of Choice Car-Comércio de Automóveis, S.A, Finlog-Aluguer e Comércio de Automóveis, S.A., Guerin-Rent-A-Car (Dois), Lda, and Luso Assistência – Gestâo de Acidentes, S.A., all of Portugal, by Mapfre S.A of Spain and Grupo Salvador Caetano SGPS, S.A. of Portugal. The Commission concluded that the proposed operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.

The companies being acquired are active in second-hand light car retailing, fleet management services, short term car rental services and services ancillary to car accident management in Portugal.

The Salvador Caetano Group, currently the sole owner of the companies being acquired, is mainly active in car retail and repair services in Portugal and Spain. Mapfre is a Spanish holding company providing insurance services worldwide.

The Commission’s investigation revealed that Mapfre is not active in the same market as the companies being acquired. Moreover, it showed that any possible vertical links between Mapfre and the Salvador Caetano Group were minor. The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns.

More information on the case will be available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/index/m106.html#m_5347