Consultation on Motor Vehicle Block Exemption launched: NFDA and AECDR respond

The European Commission has this week launched the public consultation on the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (Commission Regulation (EU) No 461/2010). The purpose of the consultation is to assess whether and to what extent the objectives of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) are fulfilled.

Motor vehicle distribution and after-sales agreements are currently subject to Commission Regulation (EU) No 461/2010 (MVBER).

The objective of this consultation is to “collect in-depth and high quality facts and evidence on the key competition issues arising in vertical relationships on the motor vehicle distribution and after-sales markets from the perspective of stakeholders”. MVBER mandates the Commission to draw up an evaluation report on its operation by 31 May 2021, in view of its expiry on 31 May 2023.

The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) will respond to the consultation outlining UK dealers’ position as well as under the Alliance of European Car Dealers and Repairers (AECDR).

Previously, AECDR and NFDA contributed to the European Commission’s consultation aimed at evaluating the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation.

Sue Robinson, NFDA Chief Executive, commented, “NFDA has regularly engaged and held a number of meetings with European counterparts and European Commission Officials. Following the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation consultation earlier this year, over the coming months we will formulate the sector’s response to the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation consultation to outline franchised dealers’ position. We will keep our members updated”.