Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation

25.9.2012

Question for written answer E-008444-12
to the Commission
Rule 117
Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE)

The current Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (EC) No 1400/2002 expires on 31 May 2013. After this, General Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 shall apply. This means that the provisions that take account of the special characteristics of the motor trade shall be removed and not replaced. These include the two-year minimum notice period for terminating a contract and the possibility of selling the dealer contract without the agreement of the car manufacturer. These provisions were first introduced in 2002. The aim was to reduce the dependency of small and medium-sized dealers on car manufacturers.

1. What is the Commission’s view on the market situation that will result from the changes in July 2013?

2. Many European enterprises are complaining of unfair practices in their business transactions. The Commission itself identified cases of this kind in its Retail Market Monitoring Report in 2010. As part of another report published on 15 February 2012, the Commission also found that unfair trade practices are found particularly frequently in the motor trade. What does the Commission intend to do in connection with this?

3. Have any changes been considered to the current Directive for Commercial Agents 86/853/ECG?

4. If so, what is the nature of these changes?

5. When can we expect specific proposals from the Commission?

OJ C 277 E, 26/09/2013