Lawyers from EPAM Competition Law Practice, headed by Partner Natalia Korosteleva, succeeded in terminating Federal Antitrust Service proceedings against GAZ Group Powertrain Division LLC. The distributor of diesel engines and spare parts was charged with abuse of its dominant position in the diesel engine market and restriction of competition among dealers by incorporating clauses in its dealership agreements that placed limitations on the sales territory.

The Firm’s team managed to prove that GAZ Group had acted in good faith and the limitations enshrined in its dealership agreements were geared to improve both its dealership and service maintenance networks, which had a substantial positive impact on its end customers. As a result, proceedings against the company were terminated under Art.13 Part 1 of the Law on Protection of Competition, which represents an infrequent outcome of proceedings initiated by the Russian FAS.

The successful resolution of the case was achieved through meticulous work, collection of unconventional evidence and liaison with numerous GAZ Group divisions and economic analysts. Special contribution to the success of the project was made by associate Konstantin Bondarenko, senior associate Alexey Rodionov and junior associate Maria Kryuchkova.