The Car-Emissions Investigation: Goals of Antitrust and the Protection of the Federal Regulators Authority : Some thoughts form the other side of the pond

Abstract

This paper explores the US antitrust investigation into commitment by Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen to comply with emission standards set out by the state of California from an EU perspective. It takes a look at the DOJ’s investigation and explores how such a case would be handled under the EU’s legal framework. First, it briefly provides the background of the U.S. case, including some political implications and the regulatory landscape in the U.S. regarding emission standards and corporate collaboration. Second, it explains how the case would most likely be handled under in the U.S., before it turns to the EU framework. In this context, the paper focuses on scope and balancing under EU competition law. It highlights the EU’s approach to such sustainability initiatives.