“UK regulator fines 10 carmakers and two trade bodies over green ad collusion”

Ten leading car manufacturers – plus two automotive trade bodies – have been fined more than £77m by a UK regulator after admitting breaking competition law in relation to advertising their green credentials.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation after a tipoff from Mercedes-Benz, which allowed the German marque to avoid financial penalties despite also being involved in the cartel.

Its rivals – BMW, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Peugeot Citroën, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen – “illegally agreed” not to compete when advertising what percentage of their cars can be recycled at the end of the car’s life…

The regulator added that the carmakers, with the exception of Renault, also agreed not to share information with their customers about the percentage of recycled material used in their vehicles…

Failing to compete in this way is against competition rules and meant customers buying a car from these manufacturers were unable to fully compare the green credentials of vehicles when buying…

After launching its investigation, the CMA was approached by the SMMT, Stellantis – the owner of Opel, Peugeot Citroën and Vauxhall – and Mitsubishi requesting leniency, which resulted in their fines being reduced…

The 10 manufacturers subject to the UK fines were contacted for comment by the Guardian…