MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERS

Early day motion 465, tabled 20 March 2001 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 49 members.

That this House deplores the decision taken by DaimlerChrysler UK to serve termination notices to all Mercedes-Benz dealers in the United Kingdom with just one year's notice; believes that Mercedes-Benz dealers offer excellent service to their customers; notes with concern that DaimlerChrysler UK intends to take direct control of 70 per cent. of new cars sales by replacing the existing Mercedes-Benz dealer network with a greatly reduced network of centrally controlled sales centres; further notes that this will reduce competition in the new car sector to the detriment of consumers; believes that this goes against the spirit of the Department of Trade and Industry's Supply of New Cars Order 2000; and calls on the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to refer the decision taken by DaimlerChrysler UK to the Director-General of Fair Trading.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.