Sanction to automotive dealers of the Ministry of Commerce

The Ministry of Commerce imposed a penalty of 17.8 million lira in one week on car dealers who made it difficult for customers to reach their first registered land vehicles.

In the statement issued by the Ministry, it was indicated that the activities of businesses that create tightness in the market and prevent consumers from reaching the merchandise are prohibited by accepting “storage” in the Retail Trade Regulation Law.

In the statement, which states that companies’ compliance with this prohibition is closely monitored by the Ministry and administrative fines are applied to companies that violate this situation, the statement says: “With the reform made to the Regulation of Second Hand Motor Vehicle Trade on May 6, 2023, the first registration is in the land motor vehicle trade activity. In the event that authorized car dealers, located in the area, avoid the sale of the vehicle, they will require a price above the list price of the vehicle, force the customer to purchase accessories or make an exchange, or set the exchange price significantly below the market price, these companies engage in activities that make it difficult for the consumer to reach the first land vehicle registered. It has been regulated that the commercial authorization certificates for motor land vehicles will be revoked.

“THE UPPER FINE LIMIT WILL BE APPLIED”

In the statement, it was reported that an inspection was carried out by the Ministry during the period from May 16 to 22, and the following was noted:

“It has been determined that an authorized dealer in Ankara requires payment of the vehicle list price in person, and that customers are forced to purchase accessories at two separate branches of an authorized dealer in Bursa and an authorized dealer in Adana, and According to the decision of the Unfair Pricing Assessment Board, these merchants receive higher prices. Administrative fines of 17,834,400 lira, or 4,458,600 lira each, were imposed from the border.

However, the authorization certificates for the trade in used land vehicles from said authorized dealers will be revoked and these companies will be disqualified from engaging in the trade in used vehicles for a period of one year. Inspections on the matter are carried out uninterruptedly by our Ministry, and in case illegal activities are detected, administrative fines will continue to be applied from the upper limit to the offending companies. (AA)