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Steigende Benzinpreise: Fehlende Transparenz auf dem Öl- und Kraftstoffmarkt?

Author

Listed:
  • Justus Haucap
  • Willi Diez
  • Hans-Joachim Otto
  • Heinz-J. Bontrup

Abstract

Sind die steigenden Benzinpreise ein Zeichen mangelnden Wettbewerbs auf den Öl- und Kraftstoffmärkten? Was kann die Einrichtung einer »Markttransparenzstelle « beim Bundeskartellamt bewirken? Für Justus Haucap, Universität Düsseldorf und Vorsitzender der Monopolkommission, sollten Preissetzungsregeln für Tankstellen nur als Ultima Ratio und nach sehr gründlicher Analyse ausländischer Erfahrungen in Betracht gezogen werden. Solche Preissetzungsregeln seien ein erheblicher Eingriff in den Wettbewerb und limitieren die Nutzung des Preises als wichtigster Wettbewerbsparameter. Eine effektive kurzfristige Absenkung der Verbraucherpreise ließe sich nur durch eine Steuersenkung erreichen. Dies aber scheine angesichts der notwendigen Konsolidierung der öffentlichen Haushalte wenig ratsam. Für Willi Diez, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt, Nürtingen, reduziert sich letztendlich auch die Preisbildung auf dem Kraftstoffmarkt auf das einfache Zusammenspiel von Angebot und Nachfrage. Die in vielen Branchen übliche zeitliche Preisdifferenzierung, also die Orientierung der Preise an einer zeitlich fluktuierenden Nachfrage, habe auf dem Kraftstoffmarkt Einzug gehalten und die Spielregeln der Preisbildung verändert. Das Problem steigender Kraftstoffpreise lasse sich letztlich nur lösen, indem der Kraftstoffverbrauch eingedämmt werde. Hans-Joachim Otto, Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär beim Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, stellt das Vorhaben der Bundesregierung vor, beim Bundeskartellamt eine Markttransparenzstelle für den Großhandel mit Strom und Gas einzurichten, zu deren Aufgaben auch die Beobachtung der Kraftstoffmärkte (Benzin und Diesel) gehört. Heinz-J. Bontrup, Westfälische Hochschule, Gelsenkirchen, Bocholt, Recklinghausen, sieht den Grund für die Preissteigerungen in der Oligopolstellung der Ölstaaten und -konzerne. Deshalb kann seiner Ansicht nach eine beim Bundeskartellamt ansässige »Markttransparenzstelle« wenig bewirken. Einzig eine drastische Senkung der Verbrauchsmengen von Benzin und Diesel sei hilfreich.

Suggested Citation

  • Justus Haucap & Willi Diez & Hans-Joachim Otto & Heinz-J. Bontrup, 2012. "Steigende Benzinpreise: Fehlende Transparenz auf dem Öl- und Kraftstoffmarkt?," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 65(11), pages 03-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifosdt:v:65:y:2012:i:11:p:03-15
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Benzin; Preis; Mineralölhandel; Kartell; Monopol; Wettbewerb; Wettbewerbsaufsicht; Deutschland;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L71 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction - - - Mining, Extraction, and Refining: Hydrocarbon Fuels
    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices

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