EU fines German carmakers over alleged cartel activities

Without any discount (i.e. if the issue was discovered by an external investigation, without any self-reporting by Daimler or cooperation by VW) the 875 million Euro would have been roughly 727+(502/0.55=912)+373=2,012.

The 2,012-875=1,137 million difference sounds like a lot of money in absolute terms.

Maybe when the money involved represents so large amounts the percentages should be lowered or a "minimum fixed amount" established.

And even if the Daimler (as whistleblowing company) might "deserve" the 100% discount (as possibly without their self-reporting the cartel could never be discovered) the VW collaboration "prize" is (IMHO) more up to debate, it should mean that the information from Daimler alone would have not been enough to prove that the cartel existed[1] (but then the 100% discount accorded to them would seem to much).

Not to start any conspiracy theory, and of course completely invented and hypothetical, but case #1 (what seemingly happened):

Daimler self-reports but does not provide enough to prove: 100% discount

VW provides proofs: 45% discount

BMW adds nothing: 0% discount

vs. case #2 (hypothetical):

Daimler self-reports and provides all needed proofs: 100% discount

VW can add nothing as the case is already proved: 0% discount

BMW adds nothing: 0% discount

The difference between case #1 and case #2 is worth roughly 410 milions Euro.

[1] from the EU site: >The reduction reflects the timing of the cooperation and the extent to which the evidence Volkswagen group provided helped the Commission to prove the existence of the cartel.