New decision for automobile sales

The Ministry of Trade has signed off on a new decision regarding the second-hand market.

Accordingly, the "6-month/6,000-kilometer" and "advertisement restriction" practices in the sector have been extended until January 1, 2025.

Yesterday, the ministry also announced that the regulations regarding the European Union (EU) requirements for vehicles to be produced with safer and standard equipment, including these safety packages, had been postponed until August 31.

'TO ENSURE PRICE STABILITY AND ESTABLISH A FAIR MARKET STRUCTURE...'

The following statements were included in the statement made by the Ministry:

“Our Ministry of Trade continues its efforts with determination to eliminate the speculative price formations and hoarding activities experienced in the automotive market over the past year and the year before, and to re-establish a fair, competitive, and stable market structure in the sector. In this context, new regulations were implemented regarding the “marketing and sales restriction,” stipulating that motorcycles, automobiles, and off-road vehicles cannot be marketed or sold, directly or indirectly, by authorized dealers and individuals engaged in the trade of second-hand motor vehicles until 6 months and 6,000 kilometers have passed since their first registration date, with this restriction extended until July 1, 2024. Similarly, with the “advertisement restriction,” it was determined that marketing second-hand sales via advertisements at a price above the current sales price could not be carried out until July 1, 2024. To date, our Ministry of Trade has imposed administrative fines of approximately 52 million TL on authorized automobile dealers and auto galleries, and approximately 90 million TL on those acting in violation of the advertisement restriction, within the scope of the 6-month/6,000-km regulation.

As a result of the regulations and inspections carried out by our Ministry of Trade, unfair gains obtained by putting zero-kilometer vehicles into the second-hand market have been prevented, contributing to an increase in the supply of new vehicles and enabling those with genuine needs to access vehicles, while speculative price increases in the automotive sector have been curbed and consumer grievances eliminated. In this direction, considering these gains, our Ministry of Trade has decided to extend both of the relevant regulations for another 6 months, until January 1, 2025.

In this framework, in addition to those engaged in the trade of second-hand motor vehicles with an authorization certificate, the sales of all natural or legal persons who sell three or more second-hand motor vehicles within a calendar year without an authorization certificate that are contrary to the 6-month/6,000-km regulation will continue to be blocked by Notaries. As the Ministry of Trade, we will continue to work meticulously with these regulations we have implemented in motor vehicle trade to both ensure price stability in favor of consumers and to establish a fair and balanced market structure for industry officials, and additional measures will be taken if deemed necessary. Respectfully announced to the public.”

News Source: 12punto