EC Finds Auto Antitrust Rules Fit for Purpose, But Data Gaps Persist
A new European Commission evaluation finds the automotive sector's antitrust block exemption is working well but flags unresolved issues around independent operators' access to vehicle data.
The European Commission has published its evaluation of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER), concluding the sector-specific antitrust framework is largely effective and relevant. The report, a key step before the regulation's May 2028 expiration, found the rules successfully protect most forms of competition in the automotive aftermarket.
However, the evaluation highlights a growing tension between vehicle manufacturers and independent service operators over access to in-vehicle data and technical information, a conflict intensified by the rise of connected and electric vehicles. While the Commission is unlikely to overhaul the entire regime, its findings signal that future rule changes will almost certainly focus on ensuring independent repairers and parts suppliers can compete effectively.
Counsel for automakers, parts suppliers, and service networks should monitor the Commission's next steps, as this evaluation will inform a future legislative proposal. The focus will be on potential targeted amendments to the regulation or its supplementary guidelines to address data access before the 2028 deadline. The report signals an evolution, not a revolution, in the regulatory framework.