Dealer in Abaya compulsorily acquires apparatuses
In the sprawling Abai region, the car dealership Ilbers Auto, an officially recognized Kia dealer, has been under fire for allegedly pressuring clients into purchasing unnecessary equipment, as per the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition. The regional department issued a stern warning to the company, suspecting them of misusing their dominant position.
According to the warning, Ilbers Auto was forcing clients to buy extra equipment when purchasing new vehicles. The antimonopoly body found evidence of the company misusing their dominant position, as defined by the Entrepreneurial Code of Kazakhstan. This includes imposing unwarranted additional consumer obligations or economically or technologically irrelevant conditions, unrelated to the contract's subject.
The company promptly complied with the warning and rectified the violations.
In a different corner of the country, Almaty, Toyota Tsusho Kazakhstan Auto was penalized for monopolistic activities in March 2025. Customers reported being pressured into installing car alarms, tinting windows, buying floor mats, and other accessories.
Contrary to the allegations against Ilbers Auto, there's no public record suggesting that Toyota Tsusho Kazakhstan Auto has been accused of similar practices in Kazakhstan [2][3][4]. It seems that the issues faced by Ilbers Auto are isolated incidents and aren't connected to Toyota Tsusho’s business practices or reputation in the country.
For more insights, check out:
- The Antimonopoly investigation launched against Ust-Kamenogorsk Airport
- "Be careful!". How Chinese used cars end up in Kazakhstan and why they're risky to buy
The antimonopoly practices in the retail sector of Kazakhstan's automotive industry have raised concerns, with Ilbers Auto and Toyota Tsusho Kazakhstan Auto facing allegations of pressuring clients to purchase unnecessary equipment. Despite the warning issued to Ilbers Auto for misusing their dominant position, Toyota Tsusho Kazakhstan Auto's business practices in the finance sector remain untarnished, as per public records.
