Panasonic plans to spend about 9 billion U.S. acquisition of Sanyo, the agreement will serve larger companies worldwide electrical and laptops and mobile phone manufacturers battery. Japan and the transaction has received regulatory approvals in Europe, but still need access to the United States and China regulatory approval.
European antitrust regulators worried that after the merger of two companies in May to become too powerful, and thus hinder the cylindrical lithium batteries, portable rechargeable Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and button-type battery lithium competition market in the market.
The European Commission said in a statement, the two companies agreed to divest its current production of a cylindrical button-cell lithium-type batteries and rechargeable lithium battery factory in Europe. The two companies also agreed to sell a portable Ni-MH rechargeable battery business, but the Commission did not specify which company will carry out asset stripping.
Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes (ECB) said in a statement: “Both companies have offered remedies in their post-merger, the market situation will remain highly competitive, consumer battery will continue to benefit from a variety of choice and competitive prices. I am satisfied. ”
The European Commission has also reviewed the cameras and flat panel TVs from Panasonic and Sanyo, etc. There is a competition for markets for consumer electronics products. However, the Committee believes that both companies will face many challenges of our competitors, who, after the merger may not be in any market significantly increased market share.