The ICE-Bauer Siemens and French TGV manufacturer Alstom wanted to put together your Zugsparten to be a global mega-Corporation. Nothing will come of it now.
The EU’s competition authorities want the proposed rail merger of Siemens and the French competitor Alstom on Wednesday. The German press Agency learned on Tuesday from well-informed circles. The large-scale project of a “Airbus of the Rail” – has failed.
The ICE-manufacturer, Siemens, and the TGV builders, Alstom originally wanted to put their railway lines together, to become one of Europe’s largest producers and to insist, especially in international competition – for example, with China. The EU-Commission, however, had significant concerns that the merger would be prejudicial to the internal competition in Europe and ultimately to the consumer.
EU competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager saw the project in the past few weeks extremely critical. They demanded that Siemens and Alstom, among other things, wide-ranging Disposals in the signal technology and many years of licensing of technology for high-speed trains.
at the end of January, the two companies went again in an unusual step concessions. There was, however, speculated that this may not be enough.
The Federal government and the French government had done very much for the Deal. Federal Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU), had demanded, there had to be European “Champions” in the industry, with China and the USA compete. Similar to France’s economic and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said. Altmaier also brought Changes to the EU competition law into the game.
Details of the decision should inform EU competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the EU announced Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, the Commission will play in competition decisions “never, ever policy” or special treatments.
Alstom wants to venture a new attempt
In the case of a Brussels veto for the Zugfusion with Siemens, the French manufacturer Alstom is planning a new start-up. “There will be no second Chance,” said Alstom’s CEO, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, the daily newspaper “Le Figaro” (online edition).
“A Veto would be a very bad sign for the European industry,” he added. The Alstom chief described it as a “likely” that the Commission would prohibit the merger.
From well-informed circles, the German press Agency learned on Tuesday that the authority will prohibit the merger due to severe competition concerns on Wednesday.
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Fusion of Siemens and Alstom EU Champion on the track
Alfons Frese
the attitude of The Commission will be determined by “ideological prejudices,” says Poupart-Lafarge the sheet. “When we defend the creation of a European Champions, to understand certain of the Responsible of the Commission’s “monopoly,””, lamented the head of the company. Alstom, with Siemens “excellent relations”. (dpa)
