Disclaimer :

The Competition DG makes the information provided by the notifying parties in section 1.2 of Form CO available to the public in order to increase transparency. This information has been prepared by the notifying parties under their sole responsibility, and its content in no way prejudges the view the Commission may take of the planned operation. Nor can the Commission be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information contained therein.

SECTION 1.2

Description of the concentration

The proposed transaction consists in the creation by Bridgestone Deutschland GmbH and Pneuhage Management GmbH & Co. KG of a full function joint venture to be called Pneuhage Partners Group GmbH & Co. KG which will operate in the German market for tyre retail and car related services.

Specifically, the proposed concentration arises from a transaction in which the parties will create a joint venture in that Bridgestone Deutschland GmbH acquires 25 % of the shares in Pneuhage Partners Group GmbH & Co. KG, the joint venture, in which Pneuhage Management GmbH & Co. KG currently already holds 75 % of the shares as well as through the conclusion of a Joint Venture Agreement.

BS Deutschland is a subsidiary of BS Europe NV/SA with its principal place of business in Zaventem, Belgium and ultimately the Bridgestone Corporation, Japan which is active worldwide in the tyre and rubber business.

Pneuhage Management GmbH & Co. KG having its principal place of business in Karlsruhe, Germany is engaged in the distribution, retailing and servicing of replacement tyres for a variety of vehicle types in Germany, France and Poland.

Commission européenne, DG COMP MERGER REGISTRY, 1049 Bruxelles, BELGIQUE Europese Commissie, DG COMP MERGER REGISTRY, 1049 Brussel, BELGIË

Tel: +32 229-91111. Fax: +32 229-64301. E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu.