Asahi Glass Company Case

1) Explain how the characteristics of the relevant market facilitate the establishment of the cartel. (25 points)
Cartelising is an illegal secret agreement concluded between competitors to fix prices, restrict supply and/or divide up markets. The agreement may take a wide variety of forms but often relates to sales prices or increases in such prices, restrictions on sales or production capacities, sharing out of product or geographic markets or customers, and collusion on the other commercial conditions for the sale of products or services.
In that case, the characteristics of the relevant market facilitate the establishment of the cartel are;
Product: The industry is about carglass and the industry has different types of products such as windscreens, sidelights, backlights, quarter lights, and sunroofs. Also, the carglass can be painted with dark colors to decrease light and heat transmission if the customers want to get them.
Market Players:

Saint-Gobain which is a French-based listed company and the ultimate parent company of a global group of companies active in the production, processing and distribution of materials (glass, ceramics, plastics, cast iron, etc.)

Pilkington

Ltd, and their subsidiaries which are hereafter collectively referred to as the "leniency applicant", submitted an application for immunity or alternatively reduction of fines under the Commission notice on immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases.
Glaverbel and Asahi confirmed for immunity from fines or, in the alternative, reduction of fines after the inspections of the premises of companies. The Commission refused Asahi's and Glaverbel's request for immunity under point 8 of the Leniency Notice and informed them that it intended to grant them a reduction of 30-50 % of any fines.
4) Summarize the legal assessment of the Commission in your words. (25