March 20, 2026: Italian car parts manufacturer Elettra is reportedly the latest firm to appeal a fine from the European Commission over its alleged role in a price-fixing cartel, along with lead battery companies.

Elettra, formerly the parent company of Italy’s Fiamm Energy Technology (FET), was fined last December — alongside Rombat, Exide and trade association EUROBAT — a total of around €72 million ($85 million).

Legal and regulatory journal MLex reported on February 26 that Elettra CEO Giovanni Zola had denied any wrongdoing, saying the firm, which was fined more than €15 million ($17 million) had not produced lead batteries for nine years.

In recent weeks Rombat, owned by Metair Investments, and EUROBAT have also announced they will appeal their respective fines.

The European Commission has said the fines related to participation in a “long-running cartel” in respect of automotive starter batteries.

Batteries International reported last August that FET was being sold by Japan’s Resonac to global private equity investor Aurelius.