AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

A 650 THOUSAND EURO FINE IMPOSED ON FCA, TOYOTA AND NISSAN FOR UNFAIR COMMERCIAL PRACTICES

The Italian Competition Authority imposed a cumulative fine of 650 thousand Euros on three automobile manufacturers for unfair commercial practices pursuant to the Consumer Code. Specifically, FCA Italy (300 thousand Euros), Toyota (200 thousand Euros) and Nissan (150 thousand Euros).

The companies were fined for providing “incomplete and ambiguous” information concerning the total cost of various automobiles advertised (Fiat Italy: Panda, Punto, 500, Quybo, Doblò; Toyota: Aygo and Yaris Hybrid Cool; Nissan: Juke, Micra, Note and X-Trail). The mentioned information diffused through the operators’ Internet websites and other means of communication concerned, in particular, payment modalities and price calculation.

In fact, the ICA found that FCA Italy, Toyota and Nissan omitted to specify that the costs of the models advertised were reserved only to customers entering into contracts with instalment loans. Therefore, the amounts advertised were deemed untrue both for customers wanting to purchase an automobile with modalities different from an instalment loan, and for customers wanting to make use of the instalment payment. In fact, in the latter case, prices should have been necessarily increased of the financing cost, circumstance not adequately specified in the advertisements diffused by the three automobile manufacturers.

Rome, 9 May 2016