EU competition infringements by European truck manufacturers

The European Commission imposed fines of €3.4 billion in July 2016 and September 2017 following findings that a number of manufacturers were party to a cartel at senior management level from 1997-2001.

Breakdowns of the fines for the companies involved were as follows:

• Daimler/Mercedes – €1 billion
• Scania – €880 million
• DAF – €752 million
• Volvo/Renault – €670 million
• Iveco – €495 million
• MAN – fine of €1.2 billion reduced to zero as immunity applicant

The findings from the European Commission’s report stated the manufacturers were engaged in various coordinated practices including:

• Aligning their gross list prices at the start of the cartel
• Increasing gross (and sometimes net) list prices
• Agreeing the cost that truck purchasers should be charged for emissions technologies (Euro 3, 4, 5, and 6)
• Delaying the introduction of the emissions technologies

Claim for compensation

The RHA (Road Haulage Association), which are the dedicated trade body for road haulage in the UK is bringing a group claim for compensation on behalf of operators.

The objective of this claim is to ensure that businesses are awarded compensation for the difference between what was paid for trucks purchased and what would have been paid if the Truck Cartel had not existed.

Next steps

We are already working with some of our clients to identify applicable expenditure.  If you think that you may be entitled to claim, or if you would like advice please contact your usual Whiting & Partners representative who will be happy to support you in the next steps.

Disclaimer - All information in this post was correct at time of writing.