The Hungarian competition authority, Gazdasági Versenyhivatal (GVH), has imposed a fine of 550 million HUF on Használtauto.hu Kft., the operator of Hungary's leading online vehicle advertising platform. The fine was levied due to the previous operator, Adevinta Classified Media Hungary Kft., abusing its dominant market position by implementing an exclusive subscription advertising package that hindered business clients from advertising on competing platforms.

The investigation, initiated in December 2021, revealed that Adevinta's exclusive package, in effect since April 2018, was designed to exclude competitors and restrict market entry. The GVH conducted extensive data collection and legal-economic analysis, noting that Adevinta had repeatedly requested extensions for submitting documents, which prolonged the investigation.

Használtauto.hu has maintained a market share of at least 70% in the Hungarian online vehicle advertising market for an extended period. The GVH found that the exclusive package not only legally prevented advertisers from using rival platforms but also provided automatic and free transfer options to another platform operated by Adevinta, thereby reducing competitors' market entry opportunities.

The GVH concluded that Adevinta's actions intentionally made it more difficult for competitors to access the market, thereby violating both Hungarian and EU competition law. The fine reflects the prolonged nature of the infringement and the significant revenue generated by Adevinta during the relevant period. However, the GVH considered it a mitigating factor that Adevinta ceased offering exclusive packages after the investigation began.

The GVH emphasizes the need for companies in a dominant position to act carefully in their business practices and not to obstruct potential competitors from entering the market or create unjust disadvantages for rivals.