One of the world’s largest manufacturers of airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels has agreed to pay an administrative penalty of almost R150-million, following its admission to having contravened the Competition Act.
Autoliv has concluded a settlement agreement with the Competition Commission for its involvement in prohibited practices such as price fixing, market division and collusive tendering with its competitors, namely TRW, Takata Group, Toyoda Gosei and Tokai Rika.
The settlement follows a commission investigation into collusive conduct against manufacturers of airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels (including Autoliv and its competitors) for allegedly fixing prices, dividing markets and colluding on tenders issued by car manufacturers, such as BMW Group and VW Group, for the manufacture and supply of airbags, seatbelts and steering wheels.
The commission initiated the complaint against Autoliv in August 2012.
The conduct affected tenders issued for the following vehicles: the VW Polo, the VW Golf, the Audi A1, A3, A6, A7, A8 and Q3, the VW 120Up, the VW Eos convertible, the Passat, the Porsche Cajun/Macan, the BMW X5 and X6, the BWW 5, 6 and 7 series and the M Sport.
The VW Polo is produced in South Africa.
The commission has filed the settlement agreement with the Competition Tribunal for confirmation.
The investigation against the other firms continues.