The ACCC's significant concerns about competition in the Newcastle region have been allayed by the planned divestment of the Kloster Group business announced in early July.
ACCC Commissioner Stephen Ridgeway says car buyers still usually need to visit a car dealership in person to negotiate the best possible price.
AP Eagers sweetened its all-scrip bid in May to gain the blessing of the AHG board.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has given a conditional green light to a $2.3 billion merger of Australia's two biggest car dealership groups after a divestment of dealerships in the Newcastle region.
The competition regulator said the buyout by AP Eagers of its main rival Automotive Holdings Group hadn't raised competition concerns in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, where there were enough rivals to compete at a local level.
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Simon Evans writes on business specialising in retail, manufacturing, beverages, mining and M&A. He is based in Adelaide. Connect with Simon on Twitter. Email Simon at simon.evans@afr.com
