The Versailles Court of Appeal concludes that the motor vehicle block exemption regulation EC N° 1400/2002 amounts to a substantial change in the legal environment of car manufacturers justifying a complete reorganisation of distribution networks (Daimler-Chrysler/SO.PA.VI.A)

SO.PA.VI.A had been entrusted by Daimler Chrysler France with the exclusive distribution of new motor vehicles of the Mercedes Benz trademark in the Pau/Tarbes area (i. e. south-west of France), pursuant to an agreement of 25 September 1996 complying with the previous block exemption regulation for the motor vehicle sector [Commission Regulation (EC) n° 1475/95, of 28 June 1995, on the application of Article 85 (3) of the Treaty to certain categories of motor vehicle distribution and servicing agreements ?(OJ L 145, 29 june 1995, p. 25-34)]. Article 15.5 of the distribution agreement provided that it could be terminated at any time by any of the two parties, subject to a two-year prior