CMA slaps BMW with fine for not complying with probe request
The Competition and Markets Authority has slapped BMW with a £30,000 fine for not complying with an information request.
The watchdog – which has also added a daily penalty of £15,000 – believes the German marque is withholding information regarding a probe from earlier this year.
Launched in March, the investigation focused on suspected anti-competitive practices related to the recycling of old and written-off vehicles.
“The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) believes that important aspects of the suspected conduct were agreed outside the UK and implemented in the UK,” it said in a statement.
According to the regulator, BMW “failed to comply fully” with its legal request, claiming the CMA doesn’t have jurisdiction – an argument that was rejected by the watchdog.
BMW was approached for comment.
Around the same time as the CMA probe, the European Commission launched an investigation into car manufacturers over a possible breach of cartel laws.
This led to the likes of Renault, Ford and Stellantis being investigated.