In his annual CEDA address, Chairman Rod Sims launched the ACCC's 2018 Compliance and Enforcement policy. This year, the ACCC will focus on consumer issues in broadband services and energy, competition in the financial services and commercial construction sectors, systemic consumer guarantee issues, and conduct that may contravene the new misuse of market power and concerted practices provisions.
The ACCC has today accepted a court enforceable undertaking from Hyundai to improve its compliance with consumer guarantee obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Customers have automatic rights under the ACL, regardless of whether a problem with a new car is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, and may in fact be entitled to a better remedy under the consumer guarantees than a warranty.
The ACCC today released the final report from its market study into Australia’s new car retailing industry following 18 months of extensive research, investigations and consultation with industry and consumer groups.
“The ACCC recommends several reforms to improve the new car retailing industry, which should lead to better outcomes for consumers. Some will require industry led change and others, we consider, require regulation,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
Chairman Rod Sims discusses the ACCC's New Car Retailing Industry Market Study investigating the competitiveness of the Australian retail car industry.
Car manufacturers need to step up to meet their consumer guarantee obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and stop putting the squeeze on dealers through dealer agreements, policies and procedures, ACCC Chairman Rod Sims told the 2017 Australian Automotive Dealer Association National Dealer Convention in Sydney today.
Chairman Rod Sims outlines the role of the regulator in a changing economy, including recent actions the ACCC has taken on infrastructure pricing, against cartel conduct and to improve consumer protection.
The ACCC today released the draft report of its market study into Australia’s new car retailing industry.
“Complaints to the ACCC about new car manufacturers have risen to more than 10,000 over the past two years. Our draft report highlights the urgent need to address widespread issues in the industry,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
Three key observations from this market study are:
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has today released an issues paper for the new car retailing industry market study announced in June this year, providing detailed information on the scope of the study and how interested parties can participate.
“A new car is one of the most significant purchases that a consumer will make and issues with these purchases can have a significant financial consequence,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is commencing a market study into the new car retailing industry in Australia.
The study will focus on competition and consumer issues that may be present in the industry.
“A new car is a significant purchase for consumers and more than 1 million new cars are sold in Australia each year. Consumer issues arising in relation to new car retailing is a priority area for the ACCC,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
ACCC Commissioner Roger Featherston addresses the Australian Auto Aftermarket Conference in Melbourne. He discusses proposed reforms to ease restrictions on consumers importing new vehicles. Mr Featherston also outlines issues around access to vehicle repair data and provides an update on the ACCC's recent enforcement actions in the auto industry. Mr Featherston invites the aftermarket industry to have a say on whether the Australian Consumer Law should include a ‘lemon law’.