Citroën Dealers Association Cartel

• Open date:1 January 2002
• Close date:27 November 2009
• Publication date:27 November 2009
• Relevant legal provision:Section 4/Article 101
• Status details:Closed
• Outcome:Conviction
• Procedure:Criminal

Outcome of investigation

In total 14 convictions, comprising eight individuals and six undertakings, were secured by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to an investigation conducted by the Competition Authority (Authority), from the mid-1990’s to 2007, involving a price fixing cartel in the sale of Citroën cars.

The case

Arising out of a series of investigations into car dealerships that involved various brands of car in the mid-1990’s, the Authority opened a case around 2002. The case focused on Citroën dealerships. A series of complaints formed the groundwork and came from identified and anonymous sources, as well as the assistance of an immunity applicant.

The allegations centred on price-fixing, in particular a collusion to fix prices of new Citroën vehicles, second hand cars, accessories including metallic paint options and delivery charges. The agreement was policed by the Secretary of the Citroën Dealers Association who closely monitored participant-members prices.

In 2007 the DPP preferred price fixing charges against the named dealerships, individual officers and directors of the Citroen dealerships. In addition, the DPP preferred charges of aiding and abetting the commission of the offence of price fixing against the Secretary of the Citroën Dealers Association.

Read the judgment in the Citroën Dealers Association case, DPP v Patrick Duffy & Duffy Motors (Newbridge) Limited of 7 May 2009.

Table of cases below:

Relevant provision