Arval, the Antitrust opens an investigation on the car rental company

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has announced that it has started a preliminary proceedings against Arval Service Lease Italiaan Italian company specializing in long-term car rental for alleged deceptive and aggressive conduct.

Specifically, the Antitrust Authority will assess the company’s behavior with regard to the long-term rental service of motor vehicles for consumers and micro-enterprises.

According to what was communicated, under the Authority’s lens the significant delays complained of by customers are over of the company and consumer associations, on deliveries of vehicles ordered, despite having been paid regularly advances and precautionary deposits.

In some cases, delivery would take place many months after the planned date, even when it comes to vehicles presented as ready for delivery, or with delivery in rapid and certain times.

The problems, however, would not only concern the delivery times of the cars. In fact, the AGCM will also investigate alleged delays affecting refunds due to customers in the event of withdrawal or termination of the contract.

Furthermore, the delayed reimbursement of the consideration paid by the consumer following the termination of the contract and / or withdrawal, the application of high penalties in the event of termination of the contract, the failure or inadequate management of complaints and consumer requests may be incorrect. .

The Authority therefore underlines that these conducts appear likely to constitute cases of unfair business practicesin violation of articles 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25 of the Consumer Code.

Finally, Arval may have also violated articles 49, paragraph 1, letters h) and v), 56 and 61 of the Consumer Code because it failed to provide certain pre-contractual information concerning the conditions for exercising the right of withdrawal and the possibility of using an out-of-court mechanism for resolving any disputes that may arise.

All that remains, therefore, is to wait for the result of the investigation by the Competition and Market Authority.