Brussels, 26.10.2017

C(2017) 7311 final

To the notifying parties

Subject:Case M.8651 - BOSCH / HASCO / ASCN
Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 1 and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area 2  

Dear Sir or Madam,

1.On 4 October 2017, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which the undertaking Robert Bosch GmbH ("Bosch", Germany), and Huayu Automotive Systems Company Ltd. ("HASCO", China), controlled through SAIC Motor Corporation by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Shanghai Municipal Government, acquire, through their joint venture Bosch HUAYU Steering Systems Co., Ltd., within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation, joint control of Bosch Automobile Steering (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. ("ASCN", China), by way of a purchase of shares. 3

2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

–    for Bosch: globally active supplier of technology and services for the automotive industry, industrial technology, consumer goods and energy and building technology industries,

–    for HASCO: active in the development, production and sale of automotive components for a variety of car manufacturers,

–    for ASCN: active in the production of power assisted steering gears, predominantly in China.

3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(a) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 4

4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

For the Commission

(Signed)
Johannes LAITENBERGER
Director-General

(1)

   OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the 'Merger Regulation'). With effect from 1 December 2009, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') has introduced certain changes, such as the replacement of 'Community' by 'Union' and 'common market' by 'internal market'. The terminology of the TFEU will be used throughout this decision.

(2)      OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3 (the 'EEA Agreement').

(3)      Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No C 341, 12.10.2017, p. 8.

(4)

     OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.