commiss decis june relat proceed articl ec treati case comp volkswagen notifi document number german text authent text eea relev ec commiss european commun regard treati establish european commun regard council regul februari regul implement articl treati amend council regul ec articl thereof regard commiss decis june initi proceed case parti concern opportun make view object rais commiss pursuant articl regul commiss regul ec decemb hear parti proceed articl ec treati consult advisori committe restrict practic domin posit introduct procedur volkswagen ag circular date april brought commiss attent form annex complaint car buyer volkswagen market director germani call volkswagen dealer garag sell vw passat variant model introduc germani june recommend retail price observ quot strict price disciplin quot repli formal request inform commiss pursuant articl regul volkswagen ag submit circular price vw passat date septemb june basi inform detail provid volkswagen ag commiss volkswagen ag statement object june statement object volkswagen ag charg infring articl ec treati agre german dealer belong distribut network strict price disciplin connect sale vw passat model volkswagen ag repli statement object letter date septemb confirm fact set statement object june essenti correct rest set view legal assess commiss object request hear decis address volkswagen ag undertak volkswagen ag regist offic wolfsburg parent compani volkswagen group group busi includ manufactur motor vehicl volkswagen audi seat skoda make manufactur compon part worldwid group structur group busi includ industri motor spare part financi servic insur oper volkswagen ag turnov period gt tabl gt posit vw passat market vw passat limousin introduc germani octob vw passat variant bodi style base limousin june registr vw passat eu number car gt tabl gt suppli custom germani gt tabl gt car industri motor vehicl trade market analyst start assumpt final consum point view car freeli substitut tradition categoris car quot segment quot basi object criteria car length purchas price bodi type engin perform brand imag distinct made quot segment quot small car small car medium car upper medium car execut car luxuri car multipurpos vehicl sport car segment occasion subdivid segment low price sport car high price sport car multipurpos vehicl road vehicl segment multipurpos vehicl coupé cabriolet road vehicl commiss monthli report car price european union recit base classif price data car model group abovement segment repres model compar consum standpoint refer made reader survei car carri german magazin auto motor und sport survei car model divid categori categori minicar small car lower medium car medium car upper medium car luxuri car correspond substanc comparison car categori segment segment mention recit coupé cabriolet road vehicl van form separ categori volkswagen passat classifi segment refer segment quot upper medium car quot car length approxim price rang dem basic model approxim dem top rang model segment includ vehicl model made manufactur name volkswagen altern passat audi opel vectra bmw seri ford mondeo merced class compet model upper medium class alfa romeo citroën xantia lancia dedra fiat marea honda accord mazda mitsubishi carisma nissan primera peugeot renault laguna rover subaru legaci suzuki baleno toyota avensi volvo share vw passat upper medium segment segment germani gt tabl gt price differenti vw passat member state year commiss publish survei car price european union data suppli manufactur commiss aim publish survei increas price transpar intent enabl final consum bui car member state price condit favour commiss aim bring price uniform european union ensur increas price transpar price differenti diminish result market forc releas basi price survei price differenti member state case vw passat exemplifi data basic bhp vw passat saloon basic vw passat saloon bhp speed gearbox door gt tabl gt pre tax price cheapest countri repres belgium germani spain franc ireland itali luxembourg netherland austria portug unit kingdom account car price countri publish monthli survei car price european union countri name italicis denmark finland greec price calcul relat cheapest countri introduct common currenc januari present chang cheapest countri euro zone finland refer market volkswagen distribut system rel posit volkswagen market vehicl germani member state european union car produc volkswagen ag distribut exclus select distribut system dealer volkswagen ag conclud dealer agreement section standard dealer agreement septemb version agreement forc januari volkswagen ag confer dealer contract territori rang vehicl custom servic dealer commit intens promot sale custom servic specif area market respons exploit market potenti abil pursuant section dealer agreement dealer emploi agent maintain establish warehous specif territori respons engag personalis advertis territori pursuant section dealer agreement german volkswagen dealer suppli vehicl independ resel limit extent vehicl distribut volkswagen garag sell vehicl commiss sale agent behalf volkswagen dealer volkswagen dealer direct contract partner purchas vehicl set sell price interest german volkswagen audi dealer vi vi volkswagen ag repres volkswagen audi dealer associ compris manag board manag regular meet place repres associ volkswagen ag irregular interv quot close meet quot held manag board associ recit topic coordin discuss volkswagen ag manag board member mr büchelhof respons volkswagen brand associ hold committe meet committe quot sale market vw car quot item common interest discuss volkswagen ag repres committe meet head market germani depart mr giffhorn staff member market germani depart respons quot dealer organis quot includ mr nolt mr peter market germani depart subdivid quot region quot region head question discount dealer volkswagen ag inform commiss basi discuss dealer connect short term profit loss account discount case recommend retail price past grant german dealer dealer discount amount basi registr car volkswagen share eu car market gt tabl gt basi registr car volkswagen share german car market gt tabl gt inform suppli volkswagen ag parallel import belgium franc netherland spain itali sweden denmark footnot germani respect vw car amount total number vw passat import member state regist germani amount share reimport total number vw passat sold germani model period gt tabl gt volkswagen ag state total total hand drive volkswagen vehicl sold germani custom countri rule road drive left unit kingdom ireland period sale hand drive version vw passat measur object warn dealer septemb autohau binder vw dealer hofgeismar manag mr glinick advertis bottom rang litr passat hessisch niedersächsisch allgemein newspap land edit start price includ deliveri registr dem copi advertis septemb volkswagen ag vw dealer autohau neuenhagen niestet dai septemb autohau binder receiv warn volkswagen regist letter fax letter word quot dear mr glinick pursuant section abovement dealer agreement section follow agreement applic januari requir defend promot interest volkswagen ag volkswagen distribut organis volkswagen brand point advertis hessisch niedersächsisch allgemein land edit septemb passat blatantli infring contractu oblig action consid extrem damag brand feel bound issu warn place similar advertis futur reserv termin abovement agreement quot letter date septemb manag autohau binder repli volkswagen ag volkswagen ag harm exist agreement infring read law reproach stand legal scrutini employ detect advertis manag damag brand prejudic legal posit person respons newspap advertis instruct staff member charg sale autohau binder refrain advertis futur circular german volkswagen dealer garag time volkswagen ag began systemat urg mean circular member distribut network maintain price disciplin kei passag relev circular reproduc circular market director germani date septemb quot great regret report small number network member newspap advertis passat offer sale rrp extrem damag brand imag sooner passat introduc newli establish worth call question agreement dealer council measur form warn appeal person set highest standard bring notic advertis vw network member observ price disciplin step publicis manner imper act view incom situat passat price perform ratio refer stand good chanc substanti improv profit busi quot circular market director germani date april quot case passat price wise match competit comprehens dealer advertis price recommend retail price true view improv incom situat expect strict price disciplin quot circular market director germani date june quot concern call address letter april volkswagen dealer workshop except rememb stake price disciplin trade absolut essenti turnaround fortun busi fatal competit price product passat saloon variant improv result bear mind total turnov achiev sell car high proport turnov succe substanti improv incom situat busi improv qualiti vehicl oper lastingli reduc hitherto high level discount volkswagen set success technic econom superior model perform relat margin bonu system dispos set sale instrument attun meet market demand superior competit oper market condit enter market state price awar deep discount warrant product brand manufactur stand perform dealer agreement jeopardis beggar neighbour price behaviour volkswagen ag react energet continu perform base competit dealer price place field custom satisfact hold true passat variant decid introduc quota system volum model notic enabl plan ahead quot discuss price disciplin volkswagen manag board audi dealer associ agenda submit volkswagen ag respons request inform subject price disciplin occas subject discuss volkswagen ag volkswagen manag board audi dealer associ agenda manag board meet march point quot behaviour damag product profit improv quot item quot improv price loyalti quot agenda manag board meet item quot product damag price behaviour profit improv quot question quot manufactur final put clear signal effect quot discuss agenda item manag board meet septemb head quot gener distribut network topic quot quot price disciplin discuss measur mr giffhorn mr nagel quot lastli volkswagen audi dealer associ propos fax octob volkswagen ag regard forthcom manag board meet agenda item quot present point discuss dr büchelhof octob quot includ quot price disciplin discuss measur quot volkswagen ag state repli manag board volkswagen ag deal topic quot price disciplin quot evid fax octob recit dealer associ volkswagen ag manag board member volkswagen ag respons market deal topic discuss measur connect octob volkswagen ag state connect minut discuss discuss price disciplin volkswagen dealer council contrast meet volkswagen audi dealer associ minut meet volkswagen dealer council minut meet dealer council sale market subgroup june addit repres sale market side volkswagen ag employe includ market director germani part record quot top discount dodg quot quot law step futur consid manufactur bring price disciplin trade damag product brand imag concern quot minut meet held dealer council sale market subgroup octob addit repres sale market side volkswagen ag employe includ market director germani part record item quot discount quot quot top miscellan quot quot individu dealer advertis golf mark prior launch inordin larg discount behaviour damag product brand imag expressli disapprov condemn dealer associ manufactur quot measur enforc price disciplin dealer bernard rütz vw dealer konz advertis weekend edit trierisch volksfreund septemb offer vw passat quot extra low price dem includ deliveri registr quot octob dealer receiv written warn volkswagen ag letter correspond word word binder paragraph word differ run quot legal action quot rütz reject warn letter date octob state breach dealer agreement graml dealer karlsruh advertis vw passat weekend edit badisch neuest nachrichten bnn octob dem copi advertis volkswagen ag firstli octob call action line circular septemb letter date octob volkswagen ag market director germani dealer morrkopf refer advertis bnn letter continu quot mr giffhorn coordin posit brand damag behaviour dealer council understand mr hengehold graml dealership emploi advertis sign intra brand competit live abovement dealership advertis custom servic dump price septemb edit bnn quot memorandum volkswagen ag region manag south west franconia market director germani date octob appear graml price correspond discount memorandum quot incomprehens member dealer council mr hengehold launch advertis passat big discount mr hengehold back octob telephon sale manag mr seifri demand immedi ceas make imag damag price offer announc time volkswagen ag reserv step quot letter volkswagen ag date octob hirschauer dealer baierbrunn caption quot passat discount quot state quot dear mr hirschauer letter date septemb urg market director mr peter giffhorn maintain price disciplin respect passat octob discount offer telephon salesman mr aurich conduct damag brand imag call question newli establish passat time launch passat relat price perform ratio good chanc improv profit busi issu warn demand ceas behaviour forthwith quot april talk place repres volkswagen ag southern region hirschauer dealership baierbrunn minut meet april head quot troublesom discount hirschauer dealership baierbrunn quot substanc talk set repres volkswagen ag southern region point repres hirschauer month year vehicl sold insid hirschauer territori ow fact hirschauer attract custom advertis substanti discount press custom look hirschauer sale servic depart hirschauer criticis pai suffici attent specif territori deliveri effect averag record end statement effect agre volkswagen ag repres dealer quot deliveri stabilis set paramet mr aurich discount part exchang level keep size dealership quot link talk hirschauer letter volkswagen ag market depart germani southern region april letter state caption quot discount quot quot dear mr hirschauer confirm talk held april volkswagen southern region reason meet continu disrupt behaviour suppli car public warn letter octob gener situat discuss length point contract territori exploit tune car sector car part exchang sold final consum dealership car custom attract newspap advertis promis larg discount fli face trade usag view born poor oper result year low earn partial loss submit feel salesman mr aurich free hand longer watch activ agre mr aurich set specif paramet number unit discount number part exchang write gear size busi market opportun urg common interest imag chang behaviour line contractu consequ inevit quot septemb tiemey dealership bochum promot materi custom invit show garag saturdai septemb invit state quot give opportun latest volkswagen audi model eas numer special offer await discount show workshop rate spare part bought store vehicl bought secondhand car depart vehicl order car depart quot octob volkswagen ag wrote letter tiemey quot connect show put promot materi custom offer inordin high discount vehicl spare part workshop servic fact advertis extrem damag brand imag point infring rebat act refrain make promot offer futur quot octob tiemey confirmatori messag volkswagen ag quot return convers todai show inform intend organis event realis miss mark quot articl articl agreement undertak volkswagen ag german authoris dealer undertak mean articl circular recit background contractu relat volkswagen ag dealer give practic effect relat respect price dealer regard recommend price vw passat bind essenti bind price grant small discount circular septemb back call dealer quot report advertis volkswagen network member displai lack price disciplin quot circular spell distribut polici volkswagen ag regard specif car model establish case law european court justic admiss distribut network impli contract parti explicitli implicitli accept distribut polici manufactur circular part parcel agreement volkswagen ag authoris dealer regard part set continu busi relat base exist gener agreement dealer agreement warn address volkswagen dealer recit seq recit seq letter binder date septemb paragraph dispatch shortli circular german distributor likewis background contractu relat volkswagen ag dealer give practic effect relat respect price behaviour dealer intend ensur dealer chang price polici essenti quot advertis bind price recommend vw passat volkswagen ag charg price sell vehicl warn likewis part parcel agreement volkswagen ag dealer address system agreement volkswagen ag german dealer consist circular warn address individu dealer intend impos price disciplin respect vw passat object confirm meet volkswagen ag dealer council recit seq volkswagen ag disput measur constitut agreement mean articl take view measur object unilater action fall scope applic articl aeg ford case cite commiss bmw case point issu interpret provis agreement question materi scope provis price polici question relat provis agreement contrari polici contradict section dealer agreement bind price recommend made manufactur volkswagen distribut polici assert commiss implicitli accept dealer conclud agreement volkswagen ag argument accept reason place judgment volkswagen case court instanc make explicit refer judgment ford bmw case made clear call manufactur authoris dealer constitut agreement quot intend influenc dealer perform contract manufactur import quot condit met agreement contain specif claus disput exhort volkswagen ag relat exhort contradict claus agreement irrelev assert point refer agreement exhort contradict section agreement case accept evid document volkswagen ag point refer exhort section vw audi dealer agreement section volkswagen dealer agreement requir vw dealer quot defend promot interest vw ag volkswagen distribut organis volkswagen brand dealer compli instruct issu purpos agreement distribut volkswagen car stock replac part custom servic sale promot advertis train ensur qualiti area volkswagen busi quot explicit refer made provis warn letter binder dealership septemb recit rütz dealership octob recit price behaviour dealer quot damag brand quot dealer ask quot place similar advertis futur quot similar document make refer specif provis dealer agreement clear volkswagen ag concern issu instruct give specif substanc gener oblig dealer defend promot manufactur interest circular discuss dealer associ vw audi dealer council vw letter graml hirschauer tiemey dealership made clear volkswagen ag view grant larg discount significantli impair interest discount quot damag brand quot quot damag product quot quot contradict quot exhort section dealer agreement provis quot vw ag issu bind price recommend retail price discount quot paragraph provis recommend includ calcul price adjust arrang appli dealer manufactur fact mechan includ manufactur issu bind price recommend dealer specif guarante manufactur futur abstain make bind specif section dealer agreement interpret support numer aspect conduct parti concern exhort cover dealer agreement contradict volkswagen ag event assert manufactur threaten dealer action dealer agreement context volkswagen ag assert quot made provis measur cover eventu dealer compli price recommend quot contradict relev document abovement letter binder rütz dealership threaten quot termin quot dealer agreement quot legal action quot similarli letter hirschauer april recit volkswagen ag threaten quot contractu consequ inevit quot dealer chang behaviour repli binder septemb recit rütz octob recit similarli show dealer criticis warn relat contract inform volkswagen ag infring letter agreement origin version formal sign manufactur dealer understood warn intend spell volkswagen ag wish agreement binder dealership repli volkswagen ag instruct staff refrain futur place advertis kind object manufactur dealer assert volkswagen ag instruct fell scope dealer agreement statement made repres dealer interest individu dealer point direct agenda manag board meet dealer associ held introduct disput price polici volkswagen throw light associ attitud measur manufactur ensur greater price disciplin measur regard scope agreement fact welcom recit seq dealer repres volkswagen dealer council view minut meet held june octob recit minut meet dealer council view larg discount newli introduc model quot behaviour damag product brand imag quot quot expressli disapprov condemn quot lastli dealer morrkopf larg discount dealer quot brand damag quot hesit report conduct line call made volkswagen ag circular question extent german volkswagen dealer chang price basi circular warn left open object put forward post volkswagen ag proceed circular warn fell scope dealer agreement infring result unilater measur accept restrict competit evid point set measur appreci restrict competit disput volkswagen ag repli statement object purpos measur restrict competit declar aim volkswagen ag circular warn dealer prevail german volkswagen dealer depart depart substanti quot bind quot recommend retail price measur aim maintain resal price restrict intra brand competit term price involv price fix mean articl volkswagen ag argu dealer tiemey dealer infring german rebat act restrict competit point german rebat act prohibit announc specif price result quot rebat quot amount vi vi quot normal quot price dealer prohibit announc price repres result rebat volkswagen concern rate form announc view authoris rebat act price level effect measur volkswagen ag argu circular produc chang dealer conduct dealer continu grant discount order recommend retail price circumst present case determin precis conduct dealer point materi establish case law purpos articl suffici relev measur present case recit seq object restrict competit show produc restrict appreci restrict competit appreci restrict price competit caus circular warn dealer purpos confirm dealer council meet present case firstli measur object aim set resal price elimin essenti factor competit scope grant price discount import factor competit motor vehicl trade confirm articl commiss regul ec june applic articl treati categori motor vehicl distribut servic agreement provis exempt appli manufactur restrict dealer freedom determin price discount resel contract good intend ensur dealer price behaviour deviat substanti normal competit behaviour inform suppli volkswagen ag german volkswagen dealer grant averag discount recommend list price respect entir rang good servic recit inform smaller discount gener grant car model older model case vw passat posit passat offer sale dealer receiv warn recit discount discount recit size discount measur issu suppos reduc indic competit behaviour expect measur volkswagen ag conced dealer grant discount thirdli restrict price competit affect german dealer volkswagen ag select exclus distribut network intend restrict intra brand competit german volkswagen dealer intra brand competit german foreign volkswagen dealer aspect examin section fourthli vw passat sought car model germani term absolut sale figur segment belong segment vw passat shortli market launch share germani sell car opel vectra half share segment germani high restrict competit affect suppli vw passat germani segment passat classifi view overlap neighbour segment segment includ relev market passat share germani suffici order magnitud point connect notic agreement minor import fall scope articl applic articl vertic resal price mainten arrang rule market share undertak concern measur confin germani effect felt volkswagen ag market particip consider experi evid base approach belief measur confin germani effect unduli affect parallel import born mind period issu parallel import vw passat consider amount fraction sale made german volkswagen distribut network recit seq case relev period substanti differ retail price vw passat germani number member state paragraph introduct european certif conform passeng car purchas european union allow road member state renew technic check obstacl parallel trade continu exist purchas car member state remain practic difficult oper final consum involv greater effort purchas dealer network home countri successfulli make sale purchas contract territori case popular model dealer prefer serv local clientel frequent requir larg deposit paid foreign custom factor parallel trade limit effect shift sale dealer domest network result lead align high german price lower price member state likelihood measur appreci effect trade member state prerequisit applic articl requir measur volkswagen ag object capabl appreci effect trade member state agreement capabl affect trade member state basi set object element law fact forese suffici degre probabl agreement influenc direct indirect actual potenti pattern trade member state capabl hinder attain object singl market member state court justic rule trade member state affect measur restrict inter state trade compartmentalis market agreement lead increas larg volum trade member state shown agreement capabl affect trade member state measur issu case intend price vw passat germani artifici high level result mainten reinforc high price area cover germani applic relev custom germani member state level price differ member state recognis factor significantli affect trade member state corrobor scale import germani belgium franc netherland spain itali sweden denmark recit volkswagen ag confirm gener signific price differenti state vehicl sale germani eu countri place limit scale sell price vw car germani higher eu countri measur issu liabl appreci effect trade member state alter flow import germani german volkswagen custom unabl obtain larg discount german dealer strong financi incent purchas car abroad export germani concern born mind germani tradition high price countri result export member state small scale situat regard unit kingdom price level vw passat concern germani tradition rank unit kingdom place tabl show price level member state recit relev period british final consum sought vw passat germani inform provid volkswagen ag number hand drive volkswagen vehicl sold germani custom unit kingdom ireland recit case vw passat export germani measur object liabl prompt custom interest hand drive vehicl switch parallel import member state germani lower price belgium netherland forgo parallel import altogeth result appreci decreas export germani member state limit divert trade flow expect condit normal competit volkswagen ag disput signific effect trade member state refer case law court justic argu market compartmentalis assum commiss case vertic agreement exist cross border suppli imped foreign competitor deni market access competit ban agre present case concern attempt influenc price territori singl member state compartmentalis market evid commiss argument measur reduc export member state increas incent german consum purchas vehicl abroad correct volkswagen point limit extent trade member state quot dealer level quot result suppli bottleneck case vw passat high german price establish custom base dealer limit interest sale foreign custom line argument accept effect trade member state confin case measur result compartmentalis market explain recit suffici measur capabl posit neg effect influenc pattern trade member state demonstr condit met volkswagen ag argument suppli bottleneck arisen vw passat launch dealer prefer suppli vehicl establish custom chang effect plai role volkswagen ag post ascrib place german volkswagen dealer incent vehicl launch grant sizeabl price discount manufactur wish prohibit demand significantli succeed suppli german volkswagen dealer export model vw passat inconsider number unit kingdom outset recit thirdli suppli bottleneck germani prompt german custom opt purchas member state trend volkswagen ag high price polici liabl reinforc fourthli resal price mainten maintain year launch period volkswagen ag argument germani high price countri attract market export alter fact measur liabl boost import germani argument appli case unit kingdom custom member state case german custom grant discount dealer instrument allow make competit offer order attract demand eman custom resal price mainten appreci influenc cross border trade vw passat primarili import export aim make consider difficult german volkswagen dealer engag intra brand competit volkswagen dealer member state result resal price mainten artifici high price area relev model establish consolid germani incompat object establish singl market conclus conclud measur volkswagen ag restrict price competit respect vw passat caught articl articl ec treati block exempt vw distribut system regul ec measur object exempt regul ec individu exempt individu exempt grant grant resal price mainten contribut improv product case distribut good volkswagen ag intend improv profit german volkswagen dealer attain maintain standard servic prescrib volkswagen ag argument contribut safeguard dealership evid suggest safeguard individu dealership normal competit condit viabl appreci improv distribut good alleg improv offset disadvantag restrict competit slightest guarante larger profit earn volkswagen dealer result refus grant discount purchas vw passat car safeguard dealership consum allow share result benefit contrari pai vehicl receiv tangibl return durat infring infring articl take place septemb dai circular distribut recit infring confirm renew circular recit seq letter date juli volkswagen ag inform commiss intend measur statement object order bring infring end written repli septemb statement object compani attach copi circular date septemb german volkswagen dealer garag circular refer made circular septemb april june dealer inform restrict price competit embodi circular annul dealer fear legal advers measur part volkswagen ag respect price volkswagen audi dealer associ inform content circular letter date state receiv oral inform content letter dealer tiemey binder hirschauer inform individu letter septemb written warn recit valid dealer rütz warn letter octob recit left volkswagen distribut organis end infring last septemb septemb year parti decis address volkswagen ag commit relev infring articl agre strict price disciplin resal price mainten vw passat german dealer distribut network decis address volkswagen ag articl regul articl regul empow commiss impos fine state limit undertak infring articl intention neglig imposit fine commiss consid present case impos fine volkswagen ag commiss take view volkswagen ag act intention volkswagen ag awar measur object restrict competit member distribut network german volkswagen dealer parti gener individu exhort made involv anti competit agreement impos fine initi commit infring volkswagen ag exert consider pressur dealer inform case larg discount wrote immedi relev dealer threaten termin dealer agreement maintain price disciplin circular issu dealer dai circular dealer understand event breach price disciplin volkswagen ag initi contractu measur quot agreement dealer council measur form warn quot recit individu dealer openli breach price disciplin warn mean individu letter threaten contractu measur volkswagen ag initi exert pressur dealer econom weaker posit infring place conclus impair fact repres dealer interest volkswagen audi dealer associ vw dealer council gener welcom volkswagen ag initi enforc price disciplin amount fine fix amount fine articl regul commiss account relev circumst graviti durat infring graviti infring determin graviti infring commiss take account natur infring actual effect market measur size relev market measur volkswagen ag design elimin restrict price competit import factor competit recit measur repres drastic interfer competit result natur constitut infring competit rule case product order level equip volkswagen dealer eu price discount recommend retail price addit servic main paramet competit car dealer engag intra brand inter brand competit domest foreign dealer acknowledg volkswagen volkswagen ag state concern improv profit dealer suffer result sharp competit recit studi recent carri confirm point question import price competit vehicl purchas survei germani dealer compar price discount ask state reason dealer survei want check avail model wish want compar trade term car interest qualiti servic cite avail deliveri time car german custom negoti price normal part process purchas car born mind normal condit competit dealer expect grant substanti discount recit impact price behaviour dealer grant discount context note discount car factor major signific averag consum small percentag rate result consum point view larg save infring relat model version volkswagen ag rang car model belong popular market segment germani vw passat hold import market posit relev segment germani recit regard geograph scope infring note circular address german volkswagen dealer garag affect sale version vw passat germani member state involv respect germani account larg proport car sale european union fact volkswagen ag wish measur appli wide germani statement dealer council recit infring affect consum unit kingdom albeit smaller extent german consum depriv consum interest parallel import germani benefit discount expect normal condit competit light consider commiss infring assess deterr effect fine born mind volkswagen group head volkswagen ag largest european manufactur motor vehicl vw popular brand germani infring focus eu measur dealt decis affect model rang document demonstr manufactur prepar consid appli similar measur vehicl model recit commiss view light serious infring eur million amount basi calcul fine durat infring articl regul factor determin amount fine durat infring evid recit infring last septemb septemb year infring medium durat commiss take view justifi increas amount eur million amount eur million aggrav mitig circumst aggrav mitig circumst account calcul fine aggrav factor account fact circular recit individu letter dealer recit intend restrict freedom dealer set price warn legal step energet reaction termin contract threaten dealer show greater price disciplin account fact market director germani quot person quot call german volkswagen dealer garag circular septemb bring quot notic advertis volkswagen network member observ price disciplin quot recit volkswagen ag content enforc monitor quot price disciplin quot dealer german dealer extent inform call identifi colleagu competitor breach price disciplin result exhort german volkswagen dealer expect advertis monitor direct competitor exhort increas pressur german volkswagen dealer compli desir price disciplin reason commiss consid increas basic amount volkswagen ag argument measur intend sole improv profit dealership accept mitig factor place volkswagen ag main concern pursuit interest evid circular individu letter refer section dealer agreement alleg quot brand damag quot natur dealer conduct dealer assess price polici suit econom interest articl prohibit agreement type precis interfer dealer freedom decis respect commiss consid case mitig circumst conclus view circumst amount fine set eur million adopt decis articl volkswagen ag infring articl ec treati set sell price vw passat basi exhort german authoris dealer grant limit discount discount custom sell vw passat articl fine eur million impos volkswagen ag respect infring refer articl articl fine determin articl paid euro month date notif decis bank account commiss european commun code iban code swift bbvabebb banco bilbao vizcaya argentaria bbva avenu de art kunstlaan brussel expiri period interest payabl rate applic european central bank appli main refinanc oper interest payabl work dai month decis adopt supplement percentag point charg total interest rate articl decis address volkswagen ag wolfsburg decis enforc pursuant articl ec treati brussel june commiss mario monti member commiss oj oj oj request inform commiss volkswagen ag juli repli volkswagen ag august volkswagen ag repli novemb request inform commiss octob volkswagen ag repli septemb commiss statement object point file page seq volkswagen ag repli februari commiss request inform februari vdik press releas august quot automobil trend german market quot registr trend mini small lower medium medium upper medium luxuri sport road mpv market segment commiss decis case iv ford mazda oj commiss decis march case iv bmw rover oj quot intra ec car price differenti report quot quot intra ec car price differenti report quot auto motor und sport volum octob pp seq auto motor und sport volum octob pp seq minicar small car lower medium car medium car upper medium car luxuri car sport car cabriolet road vehicl van inform provid volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob page file page car price differenti european union commiss european commun director gener iv competit issu contract territori area distribut centr dealer specif territori respons part contract territori dealer contractu oblig assess perform relat specif territori relev provis basic ident dealer agreement differ standard impos individu type dealer servic centr brand specif dealer univers dealer small dealer recit document refer relev footnot volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob volkswagen ag repli novemb februari commiss request inform volkswagen ag repli novemb februari commiss request inform volkswagen ag repli februari commiss request inform februari volkswagen ag letter commiss decemb volkswagen ag repli februari commiss request inform februari advertis septemb file page letter volkswagen ag sign mr giffhorn market director germani mr nolt market germani dealer organis autohau binder septemb file page origin german remark commiss caption read vw audi dealer agreement vw commerci vehicl agreement follow agreement januari letter autohau binder volkswagen ag septemb file page circular volkswagen ag market director germani volkswagen dealer garag date septemb file page origin german remark commiss rrp recommend retail price circular volkswagen ag market director germani volkswagen dealer garag date april file page origin german circular volkswagen ag market director germani volkswagen dealer garag date june file page origin german commiss request inform volkswagen ag octob file page volkswagen ag answer novemb commiss request inform octob annex file page origin german volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob annex file page origin german volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob annex file page origin german volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob annex file page origin german volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object point volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob annex file page origin german volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob annex file page origin german fax octob volkswagen ag cologn region file page origin german volkswagen ag letter octob bernhard rütz gmbh file page origin german bernhard rütz gmbh letter octob volkswagen ag market germani file page fax mr offermann octob volkswagen ag stuttgart region file page morrkopf letter includ annex octob volkswagen ag market director germani file page morrkopf letter octob volkswagen ag market director germani file page seq origin german intern memo volkswagen ag region manag south west franconia market director germani octob file page origin german letter volkswagen ag market germani munich region octob auto hirschauer kg file page origin german minut meet april volkswagen ag southern region file page origin german percentag minut talli absolut sale figur mention origin german letter volkswagen ag market germani southern region april auto hirschauer kg file page origin german letter tiemey kg custom septemb file page seq origin german letter volkswagen ag market germani dealer organis octob file page origin german letter tiemey kg octob volkswagen ag file page infring partli commit amsterdam treati forc current articl ec treati articl ec treati refer made hereinaft articl provis substanc affect renumb brought amsterdam treati case aeg commiss ecr join case ford commiss ecr point volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object loc cit footnot loc cit footnot case bmw ald autoleas ecr case volkswagen commiss ecr paragraph version januari provis contain word word section volkswagen dealer agreement septemb version septemb januari version forc provis section remain unchang volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object point fact dealer rütz left dealer network end materi infring subsequ continu appli remain dealer network paragraph volkswagen ag repli statement object includ refer repli novemb commiss request inform recit decis case ferrier nord commiss ecr ii case volkswagen commiss ecr paragraph case accinauto commiss ecr paragraph commiss notic quot guidelin vertic restraint quot oj paragraph oj true agreement conclud manufactur dealer set price present case cover articl regul fact articl regul indic import attach freedom dealer area price intra brand competit recit articl commiss regul ec applic articl treati categori vertic agreement concert practic oj paragraph commiss notic quot guidelin vertic restraint quot oj make clear fix resal price form interfer function competit paragraph green paper ec competit polici vertic restraint competit state quot polici treat resal price mainten violat competit rule continu quot volkswagen ag repli novemb commiss request inform octob annex file page repli novemb commiss request inform octob oj section ii paragraph subparagraph indent commiss direct ec februari adapt technic progress council direct eec approxim law member state relat type approv motor vehicl trailer oj establish case law join case bagnasco ecr paragraph case volkswagen ag commiss ecr ii paragraph join case consten grundig commiss ecp commiss decis eec juli napier brown british sugar oj recit case volkswagen ag commiss ecr ii paragraph case law refer volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object point volkswagen ag letter commiss decemb paragraph volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object case vereenig van cementhandelaren commiss ecr paragraph case bmw ecr case remia ecr paragraph case salonia poidomani giglio ecr volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object point section commiss notic regul eec decemb applic articl treati categori motor vehicl distribut servic agreement oj case belasco commiss ecr paragraph specif threat issu binder dealership termin agreement continu appli volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object point seq recit argument mask fact volkswagen ag main concern safeguard interest recit studi taylor nelson sofr consult carri behalf renault psa percept de la distribut automobil en europ rapport europ phase quantit section concurr prix dan le secteur automobil le pratiqu de mise en concurr decemb volkswagen ag repli septemb statement object point seq