The European Union has imposed fines totalling €458m on fifteen car manufacturers for participating in a cartel that affected the recycling of end-of-life vehicles.
Volkswagen received the largest fine at €127.69m, followed by Stellantis including Opel at €99.5m, Renault-Nissan at €81.46m, and Ford at €41.46m.
The EU also fined the European Automobiles Manufacturers’ Association €500,000 for taking part in ELV recycling cartel.
Other major players fined include BMW, Volvo, Toyota, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, and GM. See full list below.
Mercedes-Benz was exempt from fines due to its disclosure of the cartel under the leniency programme.
According to the EU, for over 15 years the parties colluded on the recycling of ELVs, agreeing not to compensate car dismantlers for their services and to suppress information about recycling in their marketing.
This move was found to violate EU directives requiring carmakers to cover recycling costs and inform consumers about the recyclability of new cars.
The EU antitrust regulators’ investigation, which spanned from 29 May 2002 to 4 September 2017, uncovered that ACEA facilitated the cartel by arranging meetings and communication among the manufacturers.
The companies’ agreements aimed to avoid paying dismantlers and to limit consumer knowledge about the recycling performance of cars, thereby reducing pressure on manufacturers to exceed legal recycling requirements.
In exchange for a 10% reduction in their fines, all carmakers admitted to their involvement in the cartel.
A statement from Stellantis acknowledged the EU’s decision, highlighting the company’s cooperation throughout the investigation.
EU Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera said, “We have taken firm action against companies that colluded to prevent competition on recycling.
“These car manufacturers coordinated for over 15 years to avoid paying for recycling services, by agreeing to not compete with each other on advertising the extent to which their cars could be recycled, and by agreeing to remain silent on the recycled materials used in their new cars.”
The breakdown of the fines imposed on each party:
| Company | Reduction under the Leniency Notice | Fine |
| Mercedes-Benz | 100% | €0 |
| Stellantis | 50% | €74 934 000 |
| Mitsubishi | 30% | €4 150 000 |
| Ford | 20% | €41 462 000 |
| BMW | €24 587 000 | |
| Honda | €5 040 000 | |
| Hyundai / Kia | €11 950 000 | |
| Jaguar Land Rover / Tata | €1 637 000 | |
| Mazda | €5 006 000 | |
| – Of which jointly and severally with Ford | €1 034 000 | |
| Renault / Nissan | €81 461 000 | |
| Opel | 50% | €24 530 000 |
| – Of which jointly and severally with GM | €13 659 000 | |
| GM solely | €17 075 000 | |
| Suzuki | €5 471 000 | |
| Toyota | €23 553 000 | |
| Volkswagen | €127 696 000 | |
| Volvo | €8 890 000 | |
| – Of which jointly and severally with Ford | €3 901 000 | |
| – Of which jointly and severally with Geely | €4 419 000 | |
| ACEA | €500 000 |
