Any firm, company, or individual who purchased a truck between January 1997 and January 2011 could be in line for compensation, following a landmark EU ruling.
Last July, EU truck manufacturers were fined of €2.9 billion for price fixing and withholding new emissions technology from the market. The manufacturers were DAF, MAN, Iveco, Daimler and Volvo/Renault. Scania are still being investigated.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has launched a group claim against the manufacturers that could be worth £6,000 to each successful claimant, or possibly more if more people join in, spreading the lawyers’ costs.
Claimants do not have to be RHA members and the case is being pursued on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. The case could take several years but settlement could be earlier.
Anyone can join in on the claim, including non-RHA members, if they have purchased a truck over 6 tonnes between 2007 and 2011, whether purchased outright or on financed or leased. They may also be able claim for trucks purchased after 2011 or second hand trucks.
It is estimated that each claimant will get around £6,000 per truck, but of course the more people that join in, the more they are likely to get as the slice the lawyers get will decrease.
RHA said it may not be able to represent you if you purchase trucks merely for re-sale or for leasing to operators.
For more information, see www.truckcartellegalaction.com
Or contact Backhouse Jones on 08450 305030.
RHA said: “We believe that you paid too much for trucks you purchased or leased during the cartel and for a period afterwards and that you are entitled to be compensated for the overcharges imposed by the truck manufacturers. The European Commission fining decision will prove the manufacturers’ liability before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.”
NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: “This could represent a really good opportunity for members to claim back some funding after the cartel of truck manufacturers were found guilty of price-fixing. We urge anyone bought or leased a truck between 1997 and 2011 to explore whether they could be in line for compensation.”
Who can join the RHA’s group claim?
- The brands covered include: DAF, Daimler/Mercedes, Iveco, MAN, Renault, Scania, and Volvo
- Trucks purchased (either outright or on finance) between 1997 and 2011
- Trucks leased between 1997 and 2011
- Trucks of 6 tonnes and over
- Brand new trucks and second-hand trucks
- Possibly for trucks purchased or leased after 2011 – the RHA will advise further in due course
- Possibly for trucks below 6 tonnes – the RHA will advise further in due course
Why were the manufacturers fined?
The fine last July was the highest fine by far ever imposed by the European Commission. The manufacturers were party to a cartel from 1997 to 2011, with senior managers involved at HQ level, RHA said. The manufacturers 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