India's Antitrust Body Fines Maruti Suzuki Rs. 200 Crore Over Dealer Discount Policy

India's antitrust regulator has fined Maruti Suzuki, the country's biggest carmaker, Rs. 200 crore ($27 million) for anti-competitive practices related to how it forced dealers to discount cars, the watchdog said in an order on Monday. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in 2019 started looking into allegations that Maruti forces its dealers to limit the discounts they offer, effectively stifling competition among them and harming consumers who could have benefited from lower prices if dealers operated freely.

Also Read: India Watchdog Probes Allegations Of Anti-Competitive Conduct By Maruti - Report

In an order, issued after an investigation that began in July 2019, the CCI asked Maruti to "cease and desist" from indulging in such practices and asked the company to deposit the fine within 60 days. Maruti, which sells one in every two cars in India, is majority-owned by Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. Commenting on the CCI report a company spokesperson from Maruti Suzuki India said, "We have seen the order dated 23 August 2021 published by the Competition Commission of India. We are examining the order and will take appropriate actions under law. MSIL has always worked in the best interests of consumers and will continue to do so in the future."

(New Maruti Suzuki Showrooms)

Maruti, however, told the regulator during the probe that there was no discount control policy that it imposed on dealers who were free to offer any discounts they wished to their customers, the order said.

The CCI order, however, contained extracts of several emails exchanged between dealers and Maruti officials, which made it "evident that the Discount Control Policy was controlled" by Maruti and not its dealers.

Also Read: CCI Probe Found Maruti Suzuki Stops Dealers From Giving Extra Discounts: Report

Carmakers at times set a limit on discounts its dealers offer to prevent price wars among them, but Indian law says the practice, described as "resale price maintenance" is prohibited if it adversely impacts competition.

The CCI order said Maruti not only indulged in such activities with its dealers but also imposed penalties on those who didn't abide by its instructions.

The watchdog said it had taken a considerate view in imposing the $27 million penalty, keeping in mind the post-pandemic phase of recovery of the automobile sector.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)