Competition restrictions and block exemption in motor vehicle sector

In the motor vehicle sector, which is considered as one of the locomotive sectors of economies in developed and developing countries, it is important that the competition is effectively realized. Therefore, developments especially in the retail sales of motor vehicles and aftersales industry are essential in order to attain a competitive structure at the sector. The new Block Exemption Communiqué on The Vertical Agreements and Concerned Practices in the Motor Vehicle Sector Communiqué No: 2005/4, which is the subject of the thesis, is resulted from this need. The Block Exemption that is stipulated by The Communiqué is applicaple to the vertical agreements and concerned practices in the motor vehicle sector regarding the purchase, sale and resale of new motor vehicles, spare parts and after sales services. This study aims to evaluate the vertical agreements between producers, distributers and repairers, with regard to competition law. In this regard, in the thesis firstly the basic concepts of Competition Law are explained; secondly by putting forward the situation of the motor vehicle sector in the world and in our country, the information about the development of the application of the competition law in the sector is given. Consequently, The Communiqué No: 2005/4, is examined with regard to the problems that can ocur during applicaton, expecially by taking into account the implamentation of the Commission Regulation No: 1400/2002 in European Union.