Luxembourg, 27/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - Advocate General Antonio Tizzano has suggested to the Court of Justice that it rejects the appeal by car company Opel Nederland against the ruling of the Court of First Instance in October 2003 in a competition case. The Court of First Instance essentially confirmed the substance of the Commission's decision of 20 September 2002, fining Opel €43 million because its dealer contracts restricted free competition by putting barriers to the direct export of the cars in other countries from 1996 to 1998. Opel Nederland is the sole importer, exporter and wholesaler of “Opel” cars and spare parts in the Netherlands. Opel dealers are allowed to sell the cars to the final consumer or to another dealer who is part of the Opel sale network, but not to a dealer who is not part of the Opel sale network. Opel took the case to the Court of First Instance requesting annulment of the Commission's decision or a reduction of the fine. The Court did, however, decide to reduce the fine to €35.475 mil.