BMW Allegedly Blocked Car Sales to Swiss Citizens

Hugh Collins
Updated
BMW
BMW

Swiss antitrust authorities are investigating BMW for allegedly blocking vehicle sales to Swiss citizens in some parts of Europe.

The Swiss Competition Commission said it has information that BMW distribution branches in the European Economic Area are barring sales of BMW and Mini brand vehicles to Swiss citizens, Bloomberg News said.

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The European Economic Area includes the 27 members of the European Union as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is not a member of the European Union.

The Swiss franc has gained 9% against the euro this year, meaning BMW cars sell for a relatively higher price in Switzerland.

If found guilty, BMW could face a maximum fine of 10% of group revenue in Switzerland over the past three years.

"Such a fine would be fairly sizeable for BMW's regional branch though Switzerland isn't a key market," said Daniel Schwarz, a Frankfurt-based analyst at Commerzbank AG.

Also See:BMW Recalls 150,000 Vehicles to Fix Fuel Pumps

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