Tbilisi (GBC) - The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) has approved the proposed concentration involving the acquisition of certain assets of LLC “Wissol Auto Express” by LLC “Amboli”.

The undertakings concerned are active in the supply and distribution of automotive products. For the purposes of the competitive assessment, the Agency assessed the effects of the transaction on the markets for automotive batteries, tires and lubricants, considered at the import level.

In 2025, a total of 138 undertakings were active in the automotive tire market nationwide at the import level. The total market size amounted to GEL 190 730 782 (customs value). The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) stood at 1293.3 prior to the concentration and is expected to increase to 1334.2 following its implementation, resulting in a change of ΔHHI = 40.9.

With regard to automotive lubricants, in 2025 a total of 245 undertakings were active at the import level in Georgia. The total market size amounted to GEL 149 894 366 (customs value). The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) was 309.5 prior to the transaction and is expected to increase to 343.3 following its implementation, corresponding to a ΔHHI of 33.8.

As regards automotive batteries, 119 undertakings were active at the import level nationwide in 2025. The total market size reached GEL 69 623 714 (customs value). The HHI amounted to 1344.3 prior to the transaction and is expected to increase to 1551.4 post-transaction, resulting in a ΔHHI of 207.1.

The Agency’s assessment indicates that the market for automotive lubricants at the import level is characterised by a low level of concentration, with only a limited increment in the HHI. By contrast, the markets for automotive tires and batteries are moderately concentrated, with HHI levels slightly exceeding the threshold for low concentration. In both cases, however, the increment in concentration (ΔHHI) remains below 250, indicating that the transaction does not raise serious doubts as to its compatibility with the competitive environment.

In 2026, the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency approved a total of 5 concentrations.