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In a dramatic courtroom showdown, Stellantis, the global auto giant behind Peugeot, Fiat, and Chrysler, saw its colossal €770 million ($805 million) claim crash and burn as the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled that it had failed to prove it overpaid for safety components due to a decade-long price-fixing cartel.

The tribunal’s verdict delivered a seismic jolt to the case, concluding that Stellantis’ allegations against parts suppliers Autoliv Inc. and ZF Group lacked sufficient evidence to demonstrate any financial harm.

The Cartel Allegations: A House of Cards?

At the heart of the legal battle was the claim that a covert cartel operation—involving industry heavyweights Autoliv and TRW (now part of ZF Group)—had driven up the cost of essential safety features like seatbelts, airbags, and steering wheels.

Stellantis leaned heavily on the European Commission’s prior rulings, which had slapped a €368 million fine on Autoliv and ZF Group in 2019 for collusion while selling components to BMW and Volkswagen. But the tribunal wasn’t convinced that Stellantis was similarly affected.

Missing Witnesses, Missing Evidence

The tribunal expressed skepticism about the lack of concrete proof, noting that Stellantis’ claim was not a direct follow-on from the EU’s cartel decision. While it acknowledged that email exchanges and disclosed documents hinted at possible cartel activity, it ultimately found no conclusive evidence of overcharging.

Further weakening Stellantis' case was Autoliv’s failure to produce witnesses who could clarify the extent of their cartel involvement. Yet, this absence did not sway the tribunal in Stellantis' favor.

Did Stellantis Overplay Its Hand?

One of the tribunal’s most damning conclusions was that Stellantis—a sophisticated industry player with immense negotiating power—would have been unlikely to suffer a 26% overcharge without raising alarms at the time.

Moreover, Stellantis’ economic expert testimony was dismissed, with the tribunal refusing to rely on its overcharge calculations.

What This Means for the Auto Industry

This ruling not only shatters Stellantis’ hopes of recovering a massive payout but also sends a powerful message to other automakers considering similar legal action. The case underscores the difficulty of proving cartel-linked damages, even when prior antitrust rulings exist.

With this high-profile defeat, Stellantis may now be left recalculating its legal strategy—and the auto parts industry is watching closely to see if this marks the end of the road for cartel compensation claims.