Volkswagen received the largest fine of $137.7 million, while Mercedes escaped punishment by ratting everyone out

On Monday, the European Commission — the executive body of the European Union — announced it has fined 15 car manufacturers for colluding and participating in what it described as "a long-lasting cartel" to prevent competition on vehicle recycling and the use of recycled materials in their cars.

Volkswagen AG, Renault SA and Stellantis NV were among the hardest hit in a €458 million ($495 million) package of fines dished out by the European Union against carmakers for participating in an illegal cartel for the recycling of end-of-life vehicles.