The Japanese subsidiary of the German car maker "BMW" set an excessive norm at the dealer, and if it could not be achieved, the BMW side told the Fair Trade Commission that the store was forced to buy a car. Interviews with related parties revealed that we submitted a plan that included measures to prevent recurrence.

In September, the Japan Fair Trade Commission set an excessive quota for multiple dealers in Japan by BMW's Japanese subsidiary "BM W" and forced the dealers to buy new cars if they were unsold. We conducted an on-site inspection on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act.



The Japan Fair Trade Commission has been conducting an investigation, saying that it has used its superior position to impose a burden on dealers from around 2015 at the latest in an attempt to increase the number of vehicles sold amid intensifying competition in the domestic imported car market. I did.



In response to this, BMW submitted a plan to the Fair Trade Commission that included measures to prevent recurrence, such as discussing the number of vehicles sold with dealers and setting it as a reasonable target. I found out in the interview.



This procedure is called the “commitment procedure” and the Fair Trade Commission will determine whether the plan is effective in the future.



"I can't comment at this time," BMW told NHK.

Former official of the dealer "A large amount of in-house registration even if you know that you will be in the red"

A new car purchased by a dealer is called a "registered unused car" and is sold to customers at a discounted price compared to the new car, and the difference will be borne by the dealer.



For dealers, the burden increases as the number of "registered unused cars" increases, so even if the sales quota can be achieved and a bonus is given by the manufacturer, there are cases where it will be in the red.



A man who was a former official of a BMW dealership said about the situation before the on-site inspection of the Fair Trade Commission, "The ratio of in-house registration reached 20% to 30% of the cars we handled. We have to meet the quota. Since the manufacturer suggested that the contract be canceled, I had to do a lot of in-house registration even if I knew that it would be in the red. "



Also, regarding the previous quota, "It has become very strict since 7 or 8 years ago when the domestic sales volume was overtaken by rival Mercedes-Benz. If the quota is not reached at the end of the month, it seems to be monthly to increase the sales volume. I had a phone call. "

Increased distribution of "registered unused vehicles" due to intensifying competition

"Registered unused cars" have been occurring for both domestic and imported cars for a long time, but in recent years, the distribution volume has increased mainly for luxury cars amid fierce competition for market share among manufacturers.



Hiroshi Kanamori, president of Pa! Cars, a dealer in Kyoto that specializes in such cars, said, "Registered unused cars have been in circulation for 30 or 40 years, reflecting the ideas of manufacturers and the effects of the economy. There are disadvantages such as a short time to car inspection, but in recent years, more and more customers are choosing unused cars because of their good condition and low price. "

Expert "Problems that must be solved when something is overwhelming"

Mr. Osamu Morikawa of the Automobile Journalists Association of Japan, who has experience working for overseas automobile manufacturers, said about this problem, "It is natural that the person in charge of the manufacturer also has a quota and wants to sell as many cars as possible to the dealer. But our relationships should be equal. "



The automobile industry is undergoing a major transformation, with new entrants appearing one after another against the backdrop of electrification and the development of autonomous driving technology. Mr. Morikawa said, "The automobile industry is confused. Car sales are new and dealers are moving. And the sales system may change. The situation where something is overwhelmed is a problem that must be resolved. "