European Competition Authority determines that battery manufacturers contravened anti-trust rules
Johannesburg, 15 December 2025. Metair’s Romanian subsidiary, Rombat S.A. (‘Rombat’), is one of several European battery manufacturers fined by the European Commission ("Commission") for contravening European Union (“EU”) competition law. The Commission has imposed a fine of EURO 20,2 millionmillion on Rombat. The Commission further determined that Metair and its Dutch subsidiary, Metair International Holding Cooperatief UA, based in the Netherlands, are jointly and severally liable for a portion of the fine amounting to EURO 11,6 million, based on a legal presumption under EU law of parental liability in that they exercised decisive influence over Rombat since its acquisition on14 March 2012.
The Commission has agreed that the fine may be paid over a period of 51 months with a first instalment of EURO 4,2 million due within 3 months from 15 December 2025.
The Commission’s findings conclude an investigation that was launched in 2018 and spanned over 7 years. It targeted the activity of several automotive battery manufacturers in the European industry, including Rombat, as well as the European battery manufacturers association, EUROBAT, and covered the period 2004 to 2017. The investigation was based on an Information Bulletin published quarterly by EUROBAT, which used statistical data provided by EUROBAT members at the association’s request. The Commission alleged that the manufacturers exchanged commercially sensitive information to determine the surcharge price element of automotive starter batteries sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers.
The Company refutes the decision by the Commission regarding the legal presumption that it exercised decisive influence over Rombat in this matter. The key decisions regarding the implementation of the EUROBAT premium had already been firmly established by the time Metair acquired Rombat in 2012 and were not identified during the due diligence process carried out by external advisors.
The fine is likely to have serious financial implications on Rombat’s business operations. The board of directors of Metair (“Board”) and Rombat are considering the Commission’s findings which will include an assessment of all legal options, including the extent to which the fine may be enforceable against Metair. In addition, the Board will evaluate the impact of the obligations of the South African obligor debt package concluded by Metair.
Rombat continues to drive its current operations according to the strategy agreed with Metair and remains committed to its business objectives. Rombat is a leading company in Bistrița-Năsăud County, one of the largest regional employers and a key contributor to Romania’s annual state budget. Metair holds a 99.4% stake in Rombat and it contributed 14% of Metair’s revenue in the 2024 financial year.
For further information, please contact:
Phillemon Mosala - phillemon@aprio.co.za
About
Metair is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and retailer in the automotive sector. The Group comprises diverse businesses supplying a broad range of automotive parts across the vehicle spectrum and down the value chain. The group operates through eight subsidiaries in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, one in England and one in Romania, with a focus on delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions.
Rombat has maintained a market-leading position in battery manufacturing for 45 years. Rombat distributes its batteries to 45 countries over 4 continents, serving customers in countries such as France, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Ukraine and Finland, among others.
