European Commission approves Hitachi Rail's acquisition of Thales GTS

Hitachi Rail has been given the go-ahead to proceed with its €1.66 billion (US$1.75 billion) acquisition of Thales’ Ground Transportation Systems business.

The publication of the European Commission’s (EC) approval means that the deal has now received clearance from all 13 competition authorities which reviewed the acquisition.

Prior to the European Commission’s clearance, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority gave its approval for the deal on Oct. 4, 2023.

As a condition of securing approval for the acquisition, Hitachi Rail will divest its mainline signaling businesses in France, Germany and the UK.

The divestiture will be made in accordance with all relevant processes and consultations with employees and their representative bodies.