The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal puts brakes on the extraterritorial investigation efforts into two automobile manufacturers due to no territorial connection to the UK (Volkswagen / BMW)

On 8 February 2023, the CAT upheld claims by both BMW and Volkswagen confirming that the CMA cannot compel responses to information requests from companies with no territorial connection to the UK. CMA Investigation In March 2022, the CMA opened an investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct in relation to the recycling of end-of-life vehicles. The European Commission (EC) simultaneously announced that it was carrying out dawn raids and issuing requests for information in respect of the same suspected practices in Europe. In the context of its investigation, the CMA issued a series of requests for information across the sector. These included a formal request for information (Section 26 Notice) addressed to both BMW (UK) Ltd (BMW UK) and its parent company, BMW AG, which is