The Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition (APDC) has taken antitrust measures against car dealers for forcing additional equipment, accessories, and other services on buyers.
According to the agency's press service, measures were taken against companies such as «Astana Motors Motor Company», «Orbis Auto», «Mercur Autos», «Toyota Tsusho Kazakhstan», «Autocentre Aktobe», «Zhayik Motors», «Eurasia Motors Shymkent» and others.
The APDC noted that in 2022, after the launch of a new preferential car loan programme, many citizens faced car dealers forcing additional equipment and accessories such as alarms, floor mats, deflectors, crankcase protection, and other items.
In particular, car showrooms offered an 'expedited' delivery of the vehicle if the buyer agreed to purchase additional equipment worth up to 2 million tenge. As a result, the final cost of the car increased significantly.
For example, one of the official 'Toyota' dealers in Almaty sold more than 82% of cars with the installation of additional equipment, the cost of which reached 3 million tenge. The markup on some categories exceeded 200%.
Furthermore, when purchasing a car on credit, some dealers required customers to insure their life and health, which contradicts the norms of the Civil Code.
'Cases of forcing servicing with the official dealer are also common, with a ban on changing engine oil and other consumables at third-party service centres. At the same time, voiding the warranty service when carrying out scheduled work at third-party car repair shops, without confirmation that the vehicle's malfunctions resulted from this work, is an unfair business practice.', the statement reads.
It is noted that these actions deprive buyers of the opportunity to purchase the same additional equipment or get serviced by third-party suppliers, including detailing centres, specialised shops, or service centres.
It has become known that prices from third-party suppliers of such goods and services are on average 20-30% lower.
Recall that in July 2022, the APDC caught major car dealers in Almaty forcing additional goods and services on consumers when selling passenger cars.
Back then, violations were only seen in the actions of LLP «Motor Company «Astana Motors» (Hyundai Premium Almaty, Hyundai Auto Almaty, Hyundai Premium Batys, «Toyota centre on Suyunbaya»), LLP «Orbis Auto» (Nissan centre, Toyota City, Volkswagen centre) and LLP «Toyota Tsusho Kazakhstan Auto» («Toyota centre Zhetysu», «Lexus centre Almaty»).