by Jacques Buhart and Lionel Lesur

The French competition authority (FCA) released on 8 October 2012 an opinion in relation to the car repair and maintenance sector.  The opinion is the result of a public consultation that was launched in Spring 2011.

The opinion, which is more than 200 pages long and available only in French, contains several statements and proposals aimed at increasing competition in the car repair and maintenance sector that may have substantial implications for market participants.

In response to the opinion, the French Minister of Industrial Renewal, Arnaud Montebourg, said that while the French Government will consider the FCA’s proposals, keeping prices low for consumers is not currently a top priority.  It can therefore be assumed that the French Government will not be making significant changes to legislation imminently.  The opinion may, however, have some immediate implications for the sector.

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