By Dominic Chopping

The European Commission handed a $84.5 million fine to companies that make starter batteries for cars and a trade body, saying the group breached antitrust rules.

The commission--the European Union's executive arm--has been investigating the companies and said Monday that the group of manufacturers and a trade association collaborated for over 12 years in what it called anticompetitive agreements and practices related to the sale of automotive starter batteries to automakers in the European Economic Area.

"This cartel restricted competition and may have led to higher prices for the manufacturing of cars and trucks in Europe," the commission said.

Exide Technologies, Fiamm Energy Technology and its predecessor Elettra, as well as Rombat and trade association Eurobat have been fined a total of around 72 million euros ($84.5 million).

Another company, Clarios, wasn't fined "as it revealed the cartel to the commission under the leniency program," the commission said.

Eurobat said it disagrees with the commission's decision and is disappointed its arguments weren't accepted, namely that it wasn't aware of this misconduct. The trade group rejects that it facilitated or passively allowed any illegal conduct.

"We will now first study the decision from the EC with our legal counsel and reflect on eventual next steps," a spokesperson said. "Eurobat looks forward to putting this investigation behind it (subject to any appeal) and moving forward."

Exide, Fiamm and Rombat didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Automotive starter batteries are used to help start the engine in vehicles powered by traditional combustion engines, while also supplying power to the electrical equipment.

Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 15, 2025 08:03 ET (13:03 GMT)

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