Brussels, 30/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - Ahead of the entry into force of the new Regulation on car sales (which expires on 31 May 2010, when it will be revised again - see Europe of 18 July, p.7), the European Commission has published an explanatory brochure. The brochure is designed to provide the general public and consumer groups with information on their rights and obligations under the new, stricter arrangements. The main advantages of the new system are greater freedom for car dealers, who can now sell different makes as long as they are clearly separated off in the showroom; scrapping the link between sales and after-sales; access to technical information and training for independent mechanics; spare parts manufacturers can now sell their products under their own brandnames; and most importantly of all, the that that car manufacturers will now have to choose between selective dealership (selecting car dealers according to strict criteria) and exclusive dealership (allocating a geographical area to a dealer). Amelia Torres, spokesperson for Competition Commissioner Mario Monti, said it wouldn't be an immediate Big Bang since a transition period was foreseen to introduce the changes gradually. Contracts currently in force can be extended by a year, she explained, and the benefits of the new system would only be felt from 2003 onwards, when new contracts have to be signed. The most significant changes will take place after 2005, when the geographical area clauses are scrapped, thereby enabling dealers to establish sales points in other areas of Europe. The brochure deals with every aspect of the new regulation, using a Question and Answer format, with references to the relevant parts of the new Regulation. It also reviews the important points of the new regulation by examining specific questions on what is and isn't allowed for motor vehicle distribution, including the practical arrangements in force during the transition period. The brochure can be accessed on DG Competition's website: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/competition/car_sector .)