[We would hope to have a decision] before summer holidays, ... European institutions tend to knock off the month of August. |
As a result of our investigation and our contact with the two companies, they have now amended their practices so that consumers will now be able to buy other brands of cars from dealerships that were previously exclusively for BMW, Mini and General Motors. |
But the writing is on the wall. |
Car prices have increased less than the price of inflation. |
Experience clearly shows that where there is more competition on a market, prices fall. |
Fines are not the ideal outcome. |
Given we have never seen players taken on for 10 years, there seems to be a problem here. |
Governments do not have right to take measures relating to competition, if it is a merger that falls under our (jurisdiction). |
He is an advisor, he doesn't make plans. |
However, technical support is only helpful once the documentation has reached a certain quality standard ... the Commission's preliminary view is that the technical documentation still does not comply with the requirements of the decision. |
I can confirm that Microsoft did make a formal request for the hearing to be public and the request was refused by the hearing officer because the procedural regulation explicitly prohibits this. |
I can confirm that the deadline is today, before midnight. A decision has not yet been taken, but I hope for all our sakes that it will be taken as early as possible. |
I can confirm that the European Commission has received the complaints and will examine them carefully. |
I can confirm the Commission is due to consider sending a letter to Poland warning Poland the Commission considers that they may be in breach of Article 21 of the merger regulations, which gives the Commission exclusive competence over mergers of a European dimension. |
I can confirm the deadline is today before midnight. The decision hasn't yet been taken. When the decision is taken, I will send out a statement. |