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Auto Piloting has become quite popular in the automotive industry. Will the acceleration of the R&D of such related technology result in another trend of M&A activities in the auto parts industry? After the acquisition of TRW Automotive by ZF (a leading auto parts supplier in Germany) for USD13.5 billion, Panasonic is also said to consider acquiring the leading auto parts supplier in Spain- Ficosa International SA.

Nikkei News reported on Sep. 25 that Panasonic would consider investing 20-30 billion Japanese yens in acquiring Ficosa’s shares of nearly 50% by the end of March 2015. The report also pointed that Panasonic and Ficosa both agreed to finalize the transaction by the year end of this year and Panasonic might increase its holding of Picosa’s shares, after Picosa becomes the subsidiary business unit of it.

It is reported that Panasonic values the automotive industry as its strategy for growth and the acquisition will be the first large-scale M&A activity Panasonic takes in the automotive industry.