The European Commission recently imposed a total of $164 million in fines against Behr, Calsonic, Denso, Panasonic, Sanden and Valeo, which investigations uncovered were taking part in cartels for air conditioning and engine cooling car components.

The six suppliers settled a case with the commission regarding their involvement in coordinating prices and exchanging sensitive information within four cartels that affected car manufacturers within the European Economic Area (EEA). Denso revealed the existence of three of the cartels and as such was not fined for its participation in them. Panasonic revealed the existence of the other cartel, making it immune to fines connected with its participation in that cartel.

“Even though air conditioning and cooling components are not something you see as products, they are very much something you feel,” Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who leads competition policy, said in an annoucement. “In this case you might also have felt it in your wallet even though temperatures would still be regulated in your car. Today's decision underlines that we do not accept cartels that affect the European market, wherever and however they may be organised."

Sanden will pay the largest fine, at $68.5 million for its involvement in two of the cartels uncovered, while Behr will pay $65.8 million for its involvement in one. Valeo is on the hook for $28.4 million and was involved in three of the four cartels. Calsonic, involved in just one, will pay a fine of $1.8 million. Denso was involved in all four cartels but received immunity for its participation in three of them for disclosing their existence. The company will pay $341,561. Panasonic will not pay any fine because it revealed a cartel.