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South Korea: KFTC slaps Mercedes-Benz Korea with fine

By  |  September 27, 2017

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog said that it has slapped a combined 1.78 billion-won ($1.57 million) fine on Mercedes-Benz Korea and its dealerships for fixing labor costs for auto repairs.

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    Mercedes-Benz Korea, the local unit and importer of German carmaker Daimler AG, allegedly suggested to eight dealerships fixing rates for labor costs in January 2009 to improve its balance sheet, according to the Fair Trade Commission.

    A few months later, the dealers, including Hansung Motor Co. and Class Hyosung, raised the rate and set the same prices for their repair services.

    All eight companies set the same 58,000 won per hour (US$50.62 per hour) for general repair work and 55,000 (US$50) for maintenance services.

    The FTC imposed a 1.32 billion-won (US$1.2 million) fine on Mercedes-Benz Korea and a combined 468 million won (US$408,466) on the eight dealerships.

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