Weko opens antitrust investigation against Amag



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Due to possible violations of antitrust laws, the Weko opened an investigation against Amag auto dealers and other VW group brands. According to the report of the Federal Gazette, the investigation had already begun on June 26.

At that time, Amag was also informed, as their comments show. "The Amag cooperates fully with the authorities," says the company. With regard to the current proceedings, it is impossible to make any other statements. However, to date, there is no concrete indication of a possible infringement

It is service cars for the authorities

The companies accused would have agreed on the prices service car offers for the canton of Ticino and Ticino. announced Tuesday. Prohibited price agreements would have occurred in the years 2012 to 2014.

For this, the Weko has clues. The investigation will now examine whether these prohibited price agreements actually existed.

The disputed market prevents collusion

"There was no cartel," said Amag's director, Oliviero Milani, market manager for Ticino. with AWP. "If we were to inflate prices in such a competitive market, we would soon be overwhelmed by competition, and we look forward to a conclusion of the investigation with serenity, which will shed light on our innocence."

The Volkswagen Group holds a nearly one-third market share with its brands in Ticino, said Milani: "We have been participating since 1998 in tender calls and have also participated this year."

The Township has always was very satisfied with the quality of the VW Group's products Milani pointed out that the dealers were regularly informed of the illegality of any price agreement.

The canton of Ticino itself did not want to comment This request was rejected by a spokesperson on request.

Amount of Unclear Losses

Possible violations of antitrust law were only discovered recently, said Vice -Director Patrik Ducrey on request.He did not want to announce if there had been a self-declaration by Amag as in previous cases.

Ducrey gave no information on the amount of possible damages to the authorities of Ticino, as of August 1 of the deputy director of Weko. The Secretariat stands up What brands of the VW group are affected, the guardian of the competition did not want to say either. One is only at the beginning of the investigation.

Within 30 days, third parties may participate in the proceedings. This includes, for example, people who have been bothered by pricing in the exercise or the auction.

Previous proceedings are still in progress

The current investigation is not the first trial of the Amag. The auto importer has been repeatedly targeted by the guardian of the competition.

Two cases are still ongoing: Weko suspects Amag of abusing his market power and discriminating against independent car dealers. This preliminary inquiry was initiated less than four years ago. Ducrey did not mean when it would be possible to conclude the case.

Still pending, there is a pricing procedure by VW Dealers. It was still before the Federal Administrative Court, Ducrey said. (SDA / jfr)


Posted on 17.07.2018 | Updated at 14:35

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