The case, which has ended in a settlement with the Danish Consumer Agency, means that Autobulter must pay a total of 7 million kroner for violating the Competition Act.
Autobutler has reached a settlement with the Danish Consumer Agency and received a fine of 7 million kroner. The fine was issued after the internet portal violated the Competition Act by entering into fixed price agreements with several hundred mechanics.
The Danish Consumer Agency states that Autobutler has had agreements with garages for a period of at least five years regarding fixed prices for car repairs and services offered via the platform. These agreements prevented the free price competition that Autobutler otherwise advertised.
– Fixed price agreements eliminate competition and can mean that consumers end up paying higher prices than they would otherwise have done, says Jakob Hald, director of the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority.
– Platforms must pay particular attention to the fact that the independent companies present on the platforms set their own prices.
The fine of DKK 7 million has been determined based on an assessment of the seriousness of the violation, Autobutler's contribution to resolving the case, as well as the duration and scope of the violation. In addition, Autobutler's turnover has been taken into account.
– We are pleased that we have been able to close the case in cooperation with the authorities. It was a voluntary and limited marketing initiative that ceased after the authorities made us aware of it in 2021.
Our agreement to close the case therefore has no impact on either the car owners or the workshops, says the company, which is taking note of the dispute.
Although Autobutler's revenue is not publicly available, the accounts for 2023 show a result from ordinary operations of 7.8 million kroner for the company behind the portal.
The internet portal is not the only company with ties to the automotive industry that the Danish Consumer Agency has been after this year. Mercedes, for example, had to pay a huge million in fines earlier this year.
All because of a lie about the brand's electric cars. The fine, which was made public in November, is far less than what Autobulter has to pay. Read more about the case here .
