The European Commission has today launched a public consultation to gather feedback from stakeholders on the effectiveness of competition rules governing vertical agreements in the automotive sector.
This initiative is part of an ongoing evaluation of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) and its Supplementary Guidelines (SGL), both of which were amended in April 2023. Additionally, the review will consider the application of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (VBER) and the Guidelines on Vertical Restraints to the automotive industry.
The consultation seeks input from manufacturers, suppliers, independent repairers, consumer organisations, and other interested parties on how the rules impact competition within the motor vehicle sector. The MVBER, which provides clarity on the application of Article 101(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to vertical agreements in the sector, is set to expire on 31 May 2028. The evaluation will determine whether the existing framework remains fit for purpose in light of ongoing technological and market developments.
Ensuring a competitive automotive market
The review of the MVBER complements the Commission’s broader efforts to ensure a dynamic and competitive automotive industry. In parallel with the consultation, the Commission launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry on 30 January 2025, which will inform an upcoming Action Plan addressing key challenges, including technological innovation, access to resources, and regulatory predictability.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, underscored the importance of this initiative:
“With this evaluation, we want to make sure that our antitrust framework keeps pace with the rapid changes in the motor vehicle market, ranging from digitalisation to new mobility patterns. As part of the evaluation, it is essential to draw on the experiences of various stakeholders to have rules that continue to foster innovation and safeguard fair competition in sales, repair, and maintenance of motor vehicles.”
Background and evaluation process
Following a prior evaluation launched in 2018, the MVBER was extended for five years in April 2023 to accommodate ongoing technological shifts in the automotive sector, including digitalisation and evolving mobility trends. The current evaluation, initiated on 18 January 2024, includes a call for evidence issued on 27 May 2024 and will assess the impact of the 2023 amendments to the SGL while forecasting market developments until 2028.
In conducting this evaluation, the Commission will engage with national competition authorities and collaborate with the Joint Research Centre to gather sector-specific data, particularly on digital transformation within the automotive market. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback by 23 May 2025 via the Commission’s “Have Your Say” portal, where all contributions will be published in their original languages.
The Commission will analyse the responses and publish a summary of key findings on the “Have Your Say” portal. The insights gained from this process will guide the policymaking phase scheduled for 2026, where potential revisions to the MVBER will be considered.
