EU clears Mapfre joint control of Salvador assets

BRUSSELS, April 20 (Reuters) - Spanish insurer Mapfre (MAP.MC) and Portuguese car retailer Salvador Caetano won permission from EU regulators on Monday to take joint control of various auto interests currently owned by Salvador.

The Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union, said Mapfre was not active in the same market as the companies being bought and there were little overlaps in both companies and so the deal would not impede competition.

Salvador Caetano Group, currently the sole owner of the companies being acquired, is mainly active in car retail and repair services in Portugal and Spain.

Its assets include car retailer Choice Car, Portuguese fleet management company Finlog, Portuguese car rental company Guerin and Portuguese car accident services management firm Luso. (Reporting by Bate Felix)