Australia’s mandatory merger notification regime commenced on 1 January 2026, introducing new ACCC notification and clearance requirements for certain mergers and acquisitions. Following concerns raised by members, the AADA commissioned independent analysis by BDO Australia to assess how the new regime affects franchised new car dealerships. The report examines whether the current turnover thresholds appropriately capture dealership transactions and identifies the unintended consequences for family-owned, regional and small to medium-sized dealership businesses.
Based on the findings in the report, the AADA is calling on the Australian Government to introduce either a specific exemption for qualifying franchised dealership transactions or a low-cost, expedited approval pathway that recognises the unique characteristics of the automotive retail sector.