A network of legal experts, specialised in European distribution and competition law.

12th March 2010: EDL meeting in Rome

On the 12th March, EDL members will meet in Rome mainly to discuss the Projects of Regulations and Guidelines published by the European Commission concerning the future of the distribution sector and in particular, the automobile sector. EDL has contributed providing its comments to the draft of "Automobile" Regulation and Guidelines which are published on the EC webpage.

December 2009: The European Commission publishes draft Regulation and draft guidelines concerning Motor Vehicle Sector

The Commission has published a draft Regulation on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices ("Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation") and draft Supplementary guidelines on vertical restraints in the motor vehicle sector and has invited all the stakeholders to provide comments.

24th April 2009: EDL meeting in Cologne

Next EDL meeting will be held in Cologne (Germany) on the 24th April 2009. During the meeting, the EDL members will discuss, among other issues, the financial crisis which is seriously affecting the European Automobile Sector

The first Franchised Dealer Congress will be held on the 23rd and 24th October 2008 in Frankfurt, Germany.

This Congress aims for creating the ideal platform so that the German franchised automobile dealers take a look at their situation and think about perspectives for the future and that the government as well as car manufacturers and importers are informed about the dealers’ requests, expectations and demands.

In the photograph, from left to right, Dr. Christian Genzow (German EDL member) with Dr.Stephan Simon (European Commission) , Prof. Dr. Jürgen Creutzig (CECRA Chaiman), Dr. Alexander Martinowsky, Prof. Dr. Willi Diez, Hubert Nieswandt, Michael Thiede.

The DG Competition (European Commission) publishes the Evaluation Report on the Block Exemption Regulation (EC) 1400/2002

On the 28th May 2008 the DG Competition (European Commission) published the Evaluation Report on the operation of the Block Exemption Regulation (EC) Nº 1400/2002 concerning motor vehicle distribution and servicing so long waited for by the Automobile Sector

Decision of Austrian Supreme Court on redelivery of spare parts upon termination of dealer contract

(16.03.2007) The Austrian Supreme Court decided in a case against Nissan, that the importer, which has terminated a dealer contract, has to take back all spare parts at the original costs (6Ob 254/06f). He followed in this matter the decision of the Supreme Court of Germany (VIII ZR 254/93).

Original text of decision - German version

For additional information please contact Dr. Friedrich Knöbl at: office@rechtsanwalt-knoebl.at

Complaints against BMW and General Motors

Complaints against BMW and General Motors regarding contractual standards required from their dealers and repairers - questions and answers.