13.10.2009   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 245/41

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5620 — Volkswagen Financial Services/MoellerGruppen/JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2009/C 245/11

1.

On 2 October 2009, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Volkswagen Financial Services AG, Germany, belonging to the VW Group, and MoellerGruppen AS, Norway, controlled by the Moeller family members, acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Newco BilFinans AS, Norway, by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Volkswagen Financial Services AG: provision of financial services mainly relating to the distribution and financing of cars/commercial vehicles,

—

for MoellerGruppen AS: sale, service, repair and loans and leasing of the VG Group vehicles including Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda as well as the repair of Seat. In addition, MoellerGruppen AS is active within real estate development and other investments,

—

for Newco BilFinans AS: will provide financing services in regard to vehicle leasing and debt financing to private customers and business customers in Norway.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301 or 22967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5620 — Volkswagen Financial Services/MoellerGruppen/JV, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.