The Romanian Association of Automobile Car Parts Distributors (ADPAR) has warned the Competition Council on the violation of the Law of Competition and on the use of illegal and unfair competitive practices by Romanian insurance companies.

The representatives of the ADPAR are unhappy that some of the insurance companies, operating in the mandatory civil liability policies, have only concluded contracts with certain service shops and distributors of auto spare parts, thus preventing competitors from entering this market.

"We urgently request that an investigation be launched and that the use of these practices be sanctioned in order to put a stop to them, in order to ensure a normal competition environment on the market for car spare parts, or else we could see insurance companies fully take over the trading of car spare parts, and the activity of distributors and service shops would be limited to the mere manipulation of spare parts", the letter of the ADPAR states.

The Association of Automobile Specialists of Romania (ASAR) has expressed its support for the actions of the ADPAR.

Victor Balaş, the vice-president of the ASAR, said: "The Association of Automobile Specialists of Romania - ASAR - fully supports the actions of the Association of Auto Distributors of Romania - ADPAR. Thus, importers and car repair shops join forces for the first time in their fight for an open market and for ensuring a healthy business environment. In March, the ASAR has begun a campaign to identify the receivables of the insurance companies, which helped solve many of the issues which were reported. However, in order to be truly successful, the only solution is for two of the major players of the automobile market to join forces: importers and car repair shops".

Independent car service shops, even the authorized ones, are being prevented by insurers from bu