Hitachi Rail responds to the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s provisional findings of its investigation into Hitachi’s planned acquisition of Thales Ground Transportation Systems

In response to the publication of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) provisional findings in its investigation into Hitachi Rail’s planned acquisition of Thales Ground Transportation Systems (GTS), a Hitachi Rail spokesperson said:

“We are disappointed by the CMA’s provisional findings and will now closely examine how we can respond to the concerns raised. Hitachi remains of the firm view that the merger will not substantially lessen competition for UK signalling projects.

“We are reviewing the proposed provisional findings as a matter of absolute priority and we remain committed to addressing the CMA’s concerns through a cooperative approach. Our focus now is to find the best potential mitigations and an appropriate way forward.

“Regulatory approvals have been secured in all other relevant jurisdictions except the EU, where we are making good progress towards securing clearance from the European Commission this summer. This merger will be good for competition and benefit customers in the UK and internationally.”