EC to Rule on ZF-TRW Merger in February

The European Commission says it expects to decide by Feb. 26 whether to approve ZF Friedrichshafen AG's bid to acquire U.S.-based TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

The EC began an antitrust review of the $13.5 billion (€12 billion) deal last week. In September ZF moved to circumvent a possible challenge by agreeing to sell its 50% stake in a steering-system venture with Robert Bosch GmbH.

ZF makes chassis and driveline systems. TRW supplies steering systems but is known primarily for its safety-related electronics, sensors and hardware.