EU Raids Thermal Systems Suppliers

European Commission confirms that its officials raided the offices of an undisclosed number of unidentified suppliers of automotive thermal systems in May. The searches were part of a broader probe of price-fixing among auto suppliers.

Germany's Behr GmbH, which specializes in air conditioning and engine cooling systems, discloses it is a target of the investigation in Europe and the U.S. Mahle GmbH, which owns 36.9% of Behr, says it has put its pending acquisition of a majority stake on hold because of the probe.

The EU, Japan and the U.S. have been cooperating on probes of makers of bearings, wiring harnesses, airbags and seatbelts. The U.S. has settled cases involving six companies and 10 individuals who pleaded guilty. Japan levied a 1.1 billion-yen ($14 million) fine against one of those companies, Fujikura Ltd., in January.