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BMW fined $163 million for blocking imports

By  |  May 25, 2012

The Swiss Competition Commission has fined BMW 156 million Swiss francs (approximately $163 million) for blocking Swiss imports. In the last two years, the Swiss franc rose 20 percent against the euro: the BMW 316d is $45,530 in Switzerland, but onl $38,370 in Germany. BMW was trying to prevent Swiss customers from direct and parallel imports of BMWs into Switzerland, according to the Commission. It recommended modification of BMW’s distribution contracts to allow dealers to export cars to Switzerland.

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    BMW has vowed to appeal the charges and the fine, which is the largest fine imposed on a car manufacturer by the regulator, and the third-largest fine levied overall. BMW has countered that several hundred cars were, in fact, directly imported to Switzerland and that the higher price charged for Swiss cars are because of different configurations and local services and costs.

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    Full content: Bloomberg

     

    Related content: Main Features of Swiss Competition Law and Enforcement Policy

     

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