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Direct and indirect price discrimination in the automotive industries of the European Union

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  • Vlad Radoias

    (Towson University)

Abstract

Using a panel dataset comprising of 51 models across 21 European Union member states, I estimate the effects of country-specific factors that make price discrimination profitable. Taking advantage of cross-country heterogeneities, I find that a domestic brand bias, per capita income, and income inequalities lead to significantly different prices across borders. The role of income inequalities is supported by a theoretical model of indirect price discrimination at the national level. We therefore conclude that not only direct international price discrimination, but also indirect national price discrimination is responsible for the observed price differentials across international borders, which are not likely to fully converge as long as the exclusive dealership system is in place, and significant demand-side differences still remain.

Suggested Citation

  • Vlad Radoias, 2016. "Direct and indirect price discrimination in the automotive industries of the European Union," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 50(3), pages 975-990, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:50:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s00181-015-0950-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-015-0950-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vlad Radoias, 2015. "The myth of the domestic brand bias for automobiles in the European Union," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 35(1), pages 70-82.
    2. Goldberg, Pinelopi K. & Verboven, Frank, 2005. "Market integration and convergence to the Law of One Price: evidence from the European car market," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(1), pages 49-73, January.
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    4. Kirman, Alan & Schueller, Nathalie, 1990. "Price Leadership and Discrimination in the European Car Market," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(1), pages 69-91, September.
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    7. Victor Ginsburgh & Yves Mertens, 1985. "Product differentiation and discrimination in the European Community: the case of automobiles," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/1755, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    8. Frank Verboven, 1996. "International Price Discrimination in the European Car Market," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 27(2), pages 240-268, Summer.
    9. Mertens, Yves & Ginsburgh, Victor, 1985. "Product Differentiation and Price Discrimination in the European Community: The Case of Automobiles," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(2), pages 151-166, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Price dispersion; Price discrimination; Price convergence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices
    • L62 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment

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