This Senate inquiry was established to investigate the regulation of the relationship between car manufacturers and car dealership models in Australia, including:

• practices employed by manufacturers in their commercial relations with dealers;
• existing legislative, regulatory and self-regulatory arrangements;
• current and proposed government policy;
• dispute resolution systems and penalties for breaches of the Franchising Code of Conduct;
• current and proposed business models in selling vehicles;
• legislative, regulatory and self-regulatory arrangements found in international markets; and
• the imposition of restraints of trade on car dealers from car manufacturers.

This report comprises five chapters, including this introductory chapter, with the remaining chapters set out as follows:

• Chapter 2 provides background information on the Australian automotive retail industry, including proposed business models for selling vehicles.
• Chapter 3 looks at GM Holden's exit from the Australian market and the impact of the withdrawal on Holden car dealers and consumers.
• Chapter 4 examines issues raised by stakeholders in relation to the regulation of the relationship between car manufacturers and car dealers in Australia.
• Chapter 5 considers recent changes to the governance and regulatory arrangements for the Australian automotive industry and the need for further reforms in the sector.