THE Competition Commission has provisionally concluded that a 'complex monopoly' exists in the UK's new car market. The Commission has written to 20 manufacturers - BMW, Citroen, Colt (importer of Mitsubishi), Daewoo, Fiat Auto, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda. Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Rover, Saab, Toyota, Vauxhall, VW Group and Volvo - asking them to respond to its provisional conclusions.

In a confidential letter obtained by Fleet NewsNet the Commission said a complex monopoly existed: 'In that at least one quarter of new cars supplied in the UK are supplied by a group of manufacturers and importers who, not being interconnected bodies corporate, so conduct their respective affairs as to prevent, restrict or distort competition in connection with the supply of new cars.'