Eloise HorsfieldDISCIPLINARY action is being taken against 10 Costa del Sol car hire firms accused of price fixing.
The probe was launched after regulators were tipped off about what they described as ‘possible anti-competitive conduct’.
Action will also be taken against two Andalucia-based car associations and six companies based in Alicante by the National Competition Commission (CNC).
If found guilty, the companies could face a fine of up to 10 per cent of their revenue from the previous financial year.
It follows a series of inspections on October 26 and January 11, which led to evidence being uncovered of alleged price fixing agreements between firms.
The investigation could last up to 18 months. Spain’s competition laws have undergone a number of reforms, with the CNC handed responsibility for stamping out cartels.
Car firms under investigation:
Aurigacrown Car Hire
Bardon Y Rufo 67
Helle Auto
New Cars Costa del Sol
Niza Cars
Record-Go Alquiler Vacacional
Cargest
Guerin Rent A Car
Idapi
Prima Rent A Car
Aesva Andalucia Asociacion
There is something odd about car hire in this country, has anyone noticed that if you book a car with holiday autos from the English version of the site it is a lot cheaper than using the Spanish version, from the exact same hire company for the exact same car for the same amount of time! I got £35 English or €86 Spanish per day.