BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators opened an in-depth investigation on Friday into a plan by Siemens SIEGn.DE and Alstom ALSO.PA to merge their rail businesses, saying that the deal could reduce competition for trains and signalling systems.
The deal, which would create a Franco-German rail champion competing with bigger rival CRRC 601766.SS and Canada's Bombardier Transportation BBDb.TO , could lead to higher prices and ultimately harm consumers, the European Commission said.
It set a Nov. 21 deadline to decide whether to clear the deal. The companies can offer concessions to address regulatory concerns.