Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ANTITRUST NEWS: Agenda and panelists announced for FTC’s auto distribution system workshop, (Jan 7, 2016)
Organizations Mentioned:University of Chicago
By Michael Menzhuber, J.D., LL.M.
The full agenda for the FTC’s all-day upcoming workshop, “Automobile Distribution: Current Issues and Future Trends,” has been announced. The purpose of the workshop, which will be held on January 19, 2016, in Washington, D.C., will be to: (1) explore competition and related issues in the context of state regulation of motor vehicle registration; and (2) promote a more detailed analysis of how these regulations affect businesses and consumers.
Edith Ramirez will deliver opening remarks at the workshop, along with former FTC Bureau of Economics Director Francine Lafontaine, the FTC announced. Professor Dennis Carlton, University of Chicago, will give the keynote presentation. James Frost, FTC Office of Policy & Coordination, will provide closing remarks.
The morning panel discussions will explore state level regulation of dealer location (“State Regulation of Dealer Networks”) and warranty reimbursement (“Warranty Reimbursement Regulation”). The afternoon sessions will begin with a panel discussion on direct-to-consumer sales (“Direct Distribution”) and conclude with a panel discussion of how emerging trends (such as ride-sharing, connected cars, and autonomous vehicles) might affect how cars are sold and the current regulatory system that governs the auto industry (“Future Trends”).
In addition to academics with research interests in these issues, panelists will include representatives from a cross-section of the industry, including: (1) experienced practitioners that regularly represent dealers and manufacturers; and (2) representatives from firms such as Tesla, Elio, and Uber.
The workshop will be held at the FTC’s Constitution Center in Washington, D.C. and will begin at 9:00 am on January 19, 2016. Registration for the workshop, which is free and open to the public, begins at 8:00 am. Pre-registration, although not required to attend the workshop, is strongly encouraged.
Further details, including registration information, information regarding the public comment process for the workshop, and directions to the FTC’s Constitution Center are available on the workshop website. The workshop will also be webcast on the FTC’s website.
News: Antitrust ConsumerProtection FederalTradeCommissionNews