The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) imposed a fine of PLN 405 million on KIA Polska and 11 of the company's dealers, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection announced in a statement. It was reported that the entrepreneurs colluded on car prices and divided the market among themselves.
As a result of the collusion, buyers lost the opportunity to purchase KIA vehicles from dealers of their choice at competitive prices. Additionally, five natural persons who were directly responsible for the prohibited arrangements received fines of over PLN 1.5 million.
Penalty for KIA Polska
The highest fine – over PLN 331 million – was received by KIA Polska. Penalties were also received by five people in managerial positions in four companies: KIA Polska (two people), Wrobud, Landcar and Marvel. The collected evidence showed that their actions led directly to the violation of the regulations.
As reported, the entrepreneurs agreed the prices of KIA cars among themselves. The importer provided price lists to distributors and informed them about the maximum discounts they could offer. Kia Polska dealers accepted these arrangements and refused to provide potential customers with an offer competitive to that presented in another showroom.
“KIA Polska monitored compliance with prohibited arrangements and, during regular visits to dealer showrooms, as well as by e-mail, admonished distributors who sold vehicles at prices lower than the agreed ones. The dealers themselves also informed KIA Polska and each other if any of them did not comply with the concluded agreement. illegal agreements,” the statement said.
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